OBO Bugle - US Department of State

The
Bugle
2008 Spring
u.S. DeparTmenT of STaTe
o ver Sea S
B u ilDing S
o peraTi on S
Providing Platforms for Diplomacy
Embassy Algiers,Algeria

Director’s Message
Ta b l e o f
Co n T e n T s
Director’s Message
2
New Facilities
3
What’s New
12
Planning and Real Estate
12
Project Execution
19
Operations
25
Resource Management
31
Industry Corner
33
Special Projects
38
Press Coverage
40
Employee Corner
41
The Bugle is published by the U.S.
Department of State, Overseas Buildings
Operations, External Affairs Office. Unless
indicated otherwise, photos are from
State Department files. For additional
information please call Andrea Walk at
703-516-1544 or email obobugle@state.gov.
www.state.gov/obo
Director’s Message
I was pleased to be asked to serve as Director Ad Interim of OBO and given the honor
of leading one of our Department’s most vital programs. I have the opportunity to work
with some outstanding people that I have known over my Foreign Service career and our
newer, equally dedicated and talented staff. OBO’s record of accomplishment as a bureau is
a stellar one; building 55 new facilities in six years is a tribute both to the former Director’s
efforts and the OBO staff that made it all happen. We remain committed to maintaining the
robust Capital Security Buildings Program and to moving our personnel abroad into safer,
secure, functional, and well-maintained facilities as quickly as possible.We will continue to
leverage the Standard Embassy Design (SED) for the New Embassy Compounds (NECs) and
the design-build delivery method. We are now looking to locate our diplomatic compounds
in more urban settings whenever practicable. We also need to expand the contractor base to
improve competition for OBO projects.
Despite notable success in delivering major capital projects, OBO was described by
some clients as being insular. I have made clear our intention to change that perception.
We have launched a robust outreach effort within the Department to be more responsive to
client input. Area Management will reinvigorate its role as the primary communication
mechanism between OBO, the regional bureaus, and the overseas posts. A newly installed
Executive Directorate is making OBO’s organizational structure and process comparable to
other M-family bureaus. Our combining of the former Real Estate Office with Planning and
Development fosters synergy between these closely related activities. Our new Director of
Operations also serves as Deputy Director of OBO.
A more transparent commissioning process will ensure that our new facilities are fully
ready to be managed by post staff. And, a new, comprehensive Long-Range Maintenance
Plan will complement the very successful Long-Range Buildings Plan to assure that all
of our facilities remain fully operational to meet the needs of our overseas colleagues. We
need adequate funding to maintain both our legacy buildings and the new state-of-theart
facilities we are building to protect the investment we and other agencies have made in
our Capital Security Construction Program. These buildings are clearly superior to those
they replaced by virtually every measure, but they also are invariably more expensive and
complicated to maintain and operate, and require higher levels of professional expertise for
the complicated systems. FSI is expanding our facility management training to meet these
challenges.
I will keep you informed as we proceed, but the above tells you that our mission never
changes despite management’s comings and goings. Thank you all for the support you are
giving me in my interim role as Director.
Dick Shinnick
Director, Ad Interim

New Facilities
Completed
New Embassy Compound October 1, 2007
Algiers, Algeria
The new office building
provides over 10,000 square
meters of space, and together with
the ancillary buildings, marine
security guard quarters (MSGQ),
and vehicle maintenance
building, this compound provides
almost 15,000 square meters
of safer, more secure space. At
different times over 450 Algerian
and Turkish construction
workers were employed at the
project site. With $91 million
invested in this campus, this
project has added approximately
$21 million to the local economy.
The architecture is highlighted
with stones from as far away as
Turkey and Italy, symbolizing the
connection between this facility
and the world community. The
OBO Project Executive was
Eric Peterson and the Project
Director was LawsonYoung. The
design-build contractor was
Caddell Construction Company,
which subcontracted the design to
Integrus Architecture.

New Facilities
Completed
The Accra USAID Annex
reached substantial
completion on August 31,
2008, with post occupying it
in September. This $22 million
project was constructed by
Framaco-Epik-Metis (FEM-JV),
which subcontracted the design to
the A/E firm of Karn Charuhas
Chapman & Twohey (KCCT).
The OBO Project Executive was
Jorge Vazquez, and the Project
Director was May Stephens. At
the completion of this project,
146 personnel were moved to
a safer, more secure facility.
The new annex, along with
the recently constructed New
Embassy Compound provide
19,000 square meters of space
for the American and Ghanaian
personnel of the U.S. Embassy
and USAID. The compound site
is located in the Cantonments
section of Accra, which is one of
the nicest, and fastest-growing
areas in Accra.
New USAID Annex August 31, 2007
Accra, Ghana

New Facilities
Completed
New USAID Annex January 4, 2008
Bamako, Mali
The $14 million design-build
contract was awarded
to FEM-JV, a joint venture
of Framaco and Metis-Epik.
FEM-JV subcontracted the design
to the A/E firm Karn Charuhas
Chapman & Twohey (KCCT). The
project consists of a two-story
building with a third floor
mechanical space, associated
sitework, landscaping adjacent
to the building, and additional
staff parking. The building has
approximately 2,950 square
meters of interior space and a
second floor landscaped terrace.
It was occupied on January 4,
2008, and is home to 65 USAID
and Millennium Challenge
Corporation (MCC) employees.
The HVAC system features a dust
collection system to filter the dust
and dirt from the air during the
Harmattan season. The OBO
Project Executive was Jim Duffy
and the Project Director was Sid
Maddox.

New Facilities
Completed
The dedication was hosted
by Ambassador Paul
Trivelli. In attendance were the
Vice President and Minister of
Foreign Affairs of the Republic
of Nicaragua, the Mayor of
Managua, the Archbishop of
Managua, Chief Executive Officer
of the Millennium Challenge
Corporation (MCC) Ambassador
John Danilovich, and OBO
Project Execution Managing
Director Joseph Toussaint. Over
$80 million have been invested
in this compound, which added
millions to the local economy.
The new buildings provide
16,000 square meters of space for
the approximately 100 American
and 200 Nicaraguan employees
of the American Embassy and
USAID. The OBO Project
Executives were Jim Hopper
and Adi Kanga, and the Project
Director was Susan Glasner.
These facilities were constructed
by Zachary Construction
Company, which subcontracted the
design to Page Southerland Page.
New Embassy Compound January 24, 2008
New USAID Annex
Managua, Nicaragua

New Facilities
Completed
New Embassy Compound February 19, 2008
Kigali, Rwanda
President Bush and Secretary
Rice attended the dedication
ceremony, along with OBO
Project Execution Managing
Director Joseph Toussaint. Host
Government was represented by
President Paul Kagame. The
completion of this project enabled
334 mission staff to move into
a safer environment. At times,
in excess of 700 construction
workers were employed at this
site. Over $80 million have been
invested in this project, adding
more than $17 million to the
local economy. The architecture
incorporates Rwandan design
elements, like the brick paving
pattern in the main entry plaza,
which was inspired by the designs
of the Rwandan “peace” basket.
The OBO Project Executive was
Edward Zavora and the Project
Director was Travis Slack. The
design-build contractor was B.L.
Harbert International, which
subcontracted the design to the
A/E firm Page Southerland Page.

New Facilities
InItIated
Ground was officially broken
on the New Embassy
Compound in Sarajevo, Bosnia
and Herzegovina. The event
was presided over by Ambassador
Charles English and attended by
host government officials headed
by Bosnia and Herzegovina,
President Haris Silajdzic, along
with prominent community
members. OBO was represented
by EUR Project Executive Emile
Corneille. The $94 million
construction contract, 15 to
10 percent of which will be
spent in the local economy, was
awarded to Caddell Construction
Company, which subcontracted
the design to the A/E firm
Integrus Architecture. Over
14,000 cubic meters of concrete
and 2,000 tons of steel will be
used in its construction. The
design incorporates emergency
generators that will supply
redundant power to the project.
The OBO Project Executive is Son
Vuong and the Project Director is
LawsonYoung.
New Embassy Compound March 26, 2008
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

New Facilities
InItIated
New Embassy Compound April 1, 2008
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Tertius Zongo, the Prime
Minister of Burkina
Faso,Ambassador Jeanine
Jackson, and OBO Project
Execution Managing Director
Joseph Toussaint attended the
ceremony. The $77 million
design-build construction
contract was awarded to B.L.
Harbert International, which
subcontracted the design to
Page Southerland Page. Once
complete, it will provide 4,500
square meters of safer, functional
space for Embassy staff. Over
12,000 cubic meters of concrete
and 1,100 tons of steel will be
used in its construction. The
design incorporates energyefficient
central air conditioning,
a water treatment plant that
treats drinking water to U.S.
standards, and an advanced
sewage treatment system that
will treat all waste water for
re-use for on-site irrigation. The
OBO Project Executive is Edward
Zavora and the Project Director
is David Cates.

New Facilities
InItIated
The ceremony was attended
by Baja Governor José
Guadalupe Osuna Millán,
Tijuana Mayor Jorge Ramos,
Migration Delegate Francisco
Reynoso,Ambassador Antonio
Garza, Consul General Ronald
Kramer,Tijuana Public Safety
Secretary Alberto Capella, and
OBO PRE Managing Director
Jay Hicks. The Consulate office
building will be three stories with
7,700 square meters of space for
approximately 160 employees.
The design incorporates a support
annex building, utility building,
recreational facility, parking
garage, and wastewater treatment
plant. It is estimated that the
construction of this project will
add more than $20 million to
the local economy. The NCC
will be constructed by Caddell
Construction Company, which
subcontracted the design to the
A/E firm of Integrus Architecture.
The OBO Project Executive is
Elahi Asghar and the Project
Director is Robert Dyer.
New Consulate Compound April 3, 2008
10
Tijuana, Mexico

New Facilities
InItIated
New Embassy Compound April 4, 2008
Antananarivo, Madagascar
11
Attending the ceremony
for the Government of
Madagascar was Foreign Minister
Ronzeva. Ambassador R. Niels
Marquardt and OBO Project
Execution Managing Director
Joseph Toussaint were also in
attendance. The $94 million
design-build construction
contract was awarded to B.L.
Harbert International, which
subcontracted the design to the
A/E firm Page Southerland Page.
The OBO Project Executive is
James Albertson and the Project
Director is Eric Rumpf. The
new compound incorporates
U.S. Green Building Council,
Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED)
elements. Specific items that
positively impact public health
and the environment include:
bike racks, open spaces, low
volatile organic compounds
in paints, a bus stop, storm
water retention systems for less
flooding, waste water treatment,
and sunshades.

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plannIng and Real estate
Planning and Real Estate
Property Acquisitions
OBO Executes Options for Future Embassy Sites in
Chiang Mai. On September 27, the USG signed option
contracts on two potential consulate compound sites in Chiang
Mai,Thailand. OBO Real Estate concluded negotiations for a
preferred site and a back-up site. Previously designated as an FY
2013 project, Chiang Mai has been advanced as an FY 2009
project. OBO was successful in obtaining low-cost options with
multiple, free renewal periods in order to provide the USG with
flexibility for its consulate acquisition effort.
Malabo, Equatorial Guinea Gifted NEC Site — Title
Received. On October 18, Embassy Malabo took title to a
12.3-acre site in the name of the United States of America. The
site was gifted by the Government of Equatorial Guinea to the
Embassy for the construction of a New Embassy Compound
(NEC). Within 10 months of the Government of Equatorial
Guinea’s resolution to grant the site in December 2006, a multidisciplinary
OBO/DS team evaluated the site and completed the
necessary due diligence required to determine the site viable for
an NEC. Malabo is slated for a new embassy project in FY 2009.
Bujumbura, Burundi NEC Site Contract Signed. On
October 26, after two years of negotiations, Embassy Bujumbura
signed a purchase contract with the Government of Bujumbura
for an NEC site. The 10-acre site, commonly referred to as
Kigobe site, will cost $3 million. Closing is anticipated no later
than October 31, 2008. This site acquisition marks a major
milestone as OBO prepares for Bujumbura’s FY 2009 project.
NEC Site Acquired in Belgrade. On November 2, Embassy
Belgrade and the Government of Serbia closed on the site for the
New Embassy Compound in Belgrade, Serbia. The USG has
received title to the 10.4-acre King’s Palace site in exchange for
partial payment. The remainder of the purchase price will be
held in escrow until the Serbian Government completes
demolition and road improvements. This is the first-ever fee
simple land transaction in Belgrade sinceWorldWar II. Belgrade
is an FY 2008 Capital Security project.
NEC Site Acquired in Mozambique. On November 9, post
signed an OBO-approved purchase agreement to acquire a 10acre
site for the New Embassy Compound (NEC) in Maputo,
Mozambique. The property was acquired as a 50-year leasehold
interest, with an option to extend to a total of 200 years, from a
private seller for $4.4 million in anticipation of the FY 2009
NEC project.
1
NEC Site Acquired in the Dominican Republic. On
November 27, post signed an OBO-approved purchase
agreement and closed on a 40,000 square meter site for the New
Embassy Compound site in Santo Domingo, Dominican
Republic. The property was acquired from a private seller for
$3.2 million in anticipation of the FY 2009 NEC project.
Canberra Staff Housing Purchases. In January, Embassy
Canberra closed on two new single-family homes in Canberra,
Australia, bringing the total to 13. The units are standard or
middle three to four single-family housing, and are part of the
13-home acquisition contracted by OBO in FY 2007 as part of
the Staff Housing Acquisition Program. These acquisitions will
bolster post’s inventory of middle profile properties and realize
an annual lease cost savings of approximately $60,000. Post now
has a reliable core of family homes in its inventory.
The OBO Staff Housing Program was developed to take pressure
off the over-burdened leasehold account and improve housing
inventory at posts offering reasonable purchase prices.
Nouakchott NEC Site Contract Signed. On January 8, post
signed an option contract to acquire a New Embassy Compound
site in Nouakchott, Mauritania. The negotiated price for the 10acre
“Bank Site” is $5 million.
Signed MOU for Cotonou NEC Site. After an extensive
search and high-level negotiations, the USG has signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government
of Benin to acquire an NEC site in Cotonou, Benin. The price is
$8 million for the 10-acre site. An OBO/post site evaluation
team ranked the site as the preferred location in December,
2007. OBO Real Estate Division personnel and Ambassador
Brown worked in recent days to complete the MOU in time for
President Bush’s visit to Cotonou. The Cotonou NEC is planned
for an FY 2013 construction award.
Port-au-Prince 37 Unit Housing Compound
Negotiations Successfully Completed. At meetings in Portau-Prince
during the week of February 11, OBO’s Real Estate
Division finalized details of an Option to Lease for a 37-unit
housing compound to be built near the NEC. The agreement
gives the USG the right to lease the housing compound once it is
50 percent complete provided the housing is acceptable to the
USG. The lease agreement includes a purchase option.
New Embassy Housing in Berlin. Post took delivery of 12
newly constructed staff apartments in the Bundesratsufer
condominium complex on the Spree River in Berlin, Germany.
OBO purchased these units with asset management funds. The
purchase yields an internal rate of return of approximately eight

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plannIng and Real estate
percent for the units. The apartments are within walking
distance of the new chancery.
MOU for Jakarta Property Acquisition. OBO recently
negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a
private seller for the 4,860 square meter Barracks parcel to the
rear of the chancery in Jakarta. Acquisition of this property will
provide essential secondary road access to the embassy and is an
important step in the planning for the NEC, to be built on the
existing site. The formal option contract is to be executed by
mid-April. The purchase price for the access parcel is $7.9
million in local currency. The option term will be 12 months
with a unilateral right for the USG to extend for an additional 12
months with no price adjustment.
Post and MFA Initial Agreement in Bandar Seri
Begawan. The USG and the MFA concluded negotiations for
the NEC site and initialed a draft contract. This completed
several months of negotiations between the two governments on
issues involving property transfer rights and reciprocity. As a
direct result of these negotiations, the USG will be granted the
right to own its NEC site in perpetuity. This is far beyond the
government of Brunei’s initial position of 99 years, and exceeds
previous Dipnote exchanges agreeing to 999 years.
Guayaquil Consulate General Compound. On March 31,
OBO successfully completed the acquisition of the Holcim
headquarters compound in Guayaquil, Ecuador at a cost of $8
million. The acquisition and fit-out cost of these buildings, as
opposed to construction of a new consulate general, will
ultimately save American taxpayers up to $70 million over
construction of an NEC.
Canberra Housing Acquisitions. In March, OBO closed on
three new single family homes in Canberra,Australia, bringing
the total number of new houses purchased in 2008 for post’s staff
housing inventory to eight. The Staff Housing Acquisition
Program depends on the sale of excess USG-owned property
around the world for its funding. Lease cost savings on each of
these properties will average at least $28,000 per unit.
New Embassy Compound Site Amendment to the Lease
signed in Tijuana. On April 9, post, on behalf of OBO, signed
an amendment to the lease signifying the completion of all site
infrastructure and development for the 10-acre site inTijuana,
Mexico.The final payment of $500,000 was released upon
signing.The property was acquired as a 99-year lease from a
private seller for $10.5 million in anticipation of the FY 2007
NEC project. Jay Hicks, Managing Director of Planning and Real
Estate, attended theTijuana NEC groundbreaking and facilitated
the execution of the Lease Amendment.While in Mexico, Mr.
1
Hicks also inspected past and present Mexico City NEC site
prospects, embassy housing, and was updated on the status of
ongoing chancery projects.
Dubai Land Certificate Received. On April 13, post
advised OBO that it had received theTitle Land Certificate for
the Dubai NCC property. The Ruler of Dubai granted the
29,219 square meter site to the U.S. It is located along Dubai
Creek in an area of Diplomatic Missions. OBO worked with
post, the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS), and the Dubai
Roads andTransportation Administration to negotiate changes to
a planned bridge and road network around the site to ensure the
site met both security and functional requirements for the NCC
project. Dubai is an FY 2008 Security Capital Project.
Property Disposals
Warsaw Real Property Sales. Sales of two residential units in
Warsaw, Poland were recently completed, with total combined
proceeds of $835,000, or 136 percent of the estimated value.
With the help of the Bureau of Administration’s Office of
Logistics Management, OBO and post had previously secured
advanced sales contracts on the properties.
Residence Sold in Lima, Peru. OBO’s Real Estate Division
closed on the sale of a residence in Lima, Peru. The sales price of
$196,000 was one percent over its estimated fair market value.
Sale of São Paulo Former Consulate General. The sale of
the former consulate general property in São Paulo, Brazil was
completed on January 22, 2008. The sale price was $3.1 million,
exceeding its estimated fair market value of $2.6 million.
Santiago Contract Signed. Apartment number 41 (X10011)
under contract for the equivalent of $116,731 with the
Reconciled EstimateValue of $104,589. This is the second of two
apartments to be sold at 2097 Av. Pocuro.
Athens Decommissioning. The final decommissioning of the
Athens annex was completed following the construction of a new
MSGQ and office annex.The MSGQ was decommissioned last
June.The annual lease cost for the annex was $621,690.
Managua Chancery Decommissioning. The governmentowned
chancery in Managua was decommissioned following the
construction of an NEC in Nicaragua.
Belize Real Property Sales Completed. The recent sale of
the former chief of mission residence (CMR) in Belize City,
Belize completes the final disposal of three government-owned

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plannIng and Real estate
properties in Belize City since the embassy moved to Belmopan.
The former Chancery sold for $700,000, the former CMR sold
for $560,000, and the buildings that the USG owned on the
Sisters of Mercy land were sold to the Sisters for $62,400.
Sale of Residence in Kuala Lumpur Completed. The sale
of a USG-owned residence in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was
completed on March 26, 2008. The sale price was $3 million,
exceeding its reconciled estimate value of $2.9 million. The
residence was functionally obsolete, inadequate for post’s use as a
family residence, and inaccessible by public transportation. This
sale was managed by OBO and post without the aid of an IDIQ
Broker, resulting in financial savings for the USG.
President’s Management Agenda (PMA)
Federal Real Property Initiative
OBO Maintains Green on PMA Federal Real Property
Initiative Deliverables. OBO has maintained Green for both
Status and Progress in this initiative by meeting all quarterly
scorecard deliverables and providing accurate property data
reporting to OMB. OBO’s scorecard, received October 24,
continues with a Green/Green rating.
Each quarter, OBO’s Strategic Planning Division receives a
scorecard from OMB that tracks the Department’s progress on
this initiative. This scorecard lists all new planned actions for the
upcoming quarter, as well as describes the actions taken in the
previous quarter. It also indicates any significant issues that need
to be addressed.
OBO Meeting with OMB to Discuss First Quarter FY
2008 Deliverables. On Friday, November 30, representatives
from the Department met with the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) to discuss deliverables for the first quarter FY
2008 President’s Management Agenda (PMA) Federal Real
Property Initiative.
OBO Meeting with Federal Real Property Council
Performance Measures Sub-Committee. OnThursday,
November 29, the State Department hosted the Federal Real
Property Council (FRPC) Performance Measures Sub-
Committee meeting at GSA. This sub-committee is chaired by
OBO Planning and Real Estate Managing Director Jay Hicks, and
is held quarterly. The meeting was attended by representatives
from nine Federal agencies and focused on Best Practices for
Performance Measure Calculations. GSA and the Department of
Defense gave presentations about their efforts to refine the
Facilities Condition Index calculations, including a detailed
analysis of their efforts to collect property data at the asset level.
1
First Quarter Deliverables to OMB. On December 21,
2007, OBO submitted its FY 2008 first quarter deliverables for
the President’s Management Agenda Federal Real Property
Initiative to OMB ahead of the quarterly deadline. This quarter’s
milestones included the transmission of complete inventory data
for the entire Department’s real estate portfolio to the Federal
Real Property Profile, consistent with the Federal Real Property
Council inventory and performance measure guidance.
PMA Federal Real Property Initiative “Green” for First
Quarter FY 2008. On March 18, the Department has again
received “Green” for both Status and Progress on the PMA
Federal Real Property Initiative for the first quarter of FY 2008.
Accomplishments for the first quarter included submitting an
Operations and Maintenance Cost Benchmarking Report that
compares actual NEC operating costs to projected costs, and the
timely and accurate submission of property data to the Federal
Real Property Profile. OBO briefed OMB on the Department’s
PMA Federal Real Property Initiative deliverables.
OBO Maintains Green Rating for Second Quarter. The
Department has again received “Green” for both Status and
Progress on the PMA Federal Real Property Initiative for the
second quarter of FY 2008. OBO is proud that it has sustained
“Green” for the last four consecutive quarters. State continues to
work closely with OMB to meet key deliverables on theThree-
YearTimeline and Proud to Be Five. Accomplishments for the
second quarter included: status report of FY 2007 performance
targets versus actuals; comparative analysis of the NEC
operations and maintenance (O&M) cost estimation against the
O&M bench marking report; action plan to address the issues
raised in the OMB mandated NEC satisfaction survey findings;
updated list of our disposals; draft LROBP.
Initial Planning Surveys (IPS)
Completed IPS for Kabul. OBO’s Project Evaluation and
Analysis (PEA) Division recently returned from re-surveying
existing site conditions and completing an IPS for the FY 2009
Kabul Annex project. The IPS is a crucial step in the planning
process that clarifies issues at post, to ensure that the project is
ready for execution when funding is available.
Italy Project Planning. An IPS was completed for follow-on
work for the Rome Renovation Project as well as an assessment
of the Florence Physical Security Upgrade (PSU).
IPS for Nouakchott NEC. OBO’s Office of Planning and Real
Estate completed an IPS for the FY 2009 Nouakchott NEC. The
in-country team met with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

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Ministry ofTransportation, local utilities, and the local A/E firm.
DS and post were represented, as well as several OBO divisions.
OBO Conducts Survey of Milan NCC Site. An IPS team
consisting of personnel from OBO, the Bureau of Diplomatic
Security (DS), post, and an Architectural and Engineering (A/E)
firm recently conducted a visit to two potential New Consulate
Compound (NCC) sites in Milan, Italy. The purpose of the trip
was to collect data and develop conceptual site development
plans for the Segrate and Piazzali Accuriso sites. Based on
information from the trip, OBO will direct the A/E to prepare
development plans for both sites, and OBO will continue to
perform with due diligence on both sites.
Capital Security Cost Sharing
OBO has collected 100 percent of the capital security cost
sharing contributions due for FY 2007 from 24 other federal
agencies. These funds are critical to sustaining funding for New
Embassy Compounds for the upcoming fiscal year.
NEC Process Published for 2007
On September 26, OBO’s Planning and Real Estate Office issued
an ALDAC on The New Embassy Compound Process and post’s Role.
This cable provides a comprehensive description of the NEC
process from the time a project is conceived through the
planning, design, and construction phase, up to the time of
occupation. This information is of great value to worldwide
posts, bureaus, subject matter experts, and Department
personnel at large.
OBO Participates in International
Cooperative Administrative Support
Services Budget Workshops
OBO participated in the annual International Cooperative
Administrative Support Services budget workshops, providing
post with guidance and assistance in preparing their final FY
2008 operating requests for leases and facility maintenance.
Participation at these workshops provides the best opportunity
to explain OBO program changes and obtain feedback on how
these changes impact posts, leading to improvements in
managing the $300 million-plus leasehold account
1
Standard Embassy Design Management
Improvements and Developments
OBO utilizes a Standard Embassy Design (SED) approach to
lean New Embassy Compound project completion, and a
standardized process to update the SED based on lessons
learned. The most recent development process has resulted in
30 changes to SED standards. For the most part, the changes
maximize efficiencies and will collectively allow OBO to reduce
the cost of NEC construction.
OBO Briefs Regional Bureaus on Capital
Security Construction Program
On November 8, OBO Area Management and Planning and Real
Estate representatives briefed the Regional Bureaus on the status
of the Capital Security Construction Program. The discussion
centered on plan transparency and possible changes in the
current planned construction award date of each project. OBO
staff identified projects that are at risk of missing their planned
award date, and proposed back-up projects to take their place if
required. The OBO team also discussed the processes,
procedures, and purposes of conducting Long-Range Facilities
Plans on existing facilities and Post Occupancy Evaluations of
New Embassy Compounds.
Development of Housing Workshop
Distance Learning Course
On November 6, OBO’s Real Property Management Division
and the Foreign Service Institute held a kickoff meeting to begin
development of an online distance learning course for Real
Property Management. The target audience is overseas locally
engaged staff, and the course will encompass policy issues and
use of the Real Property Application software. Course
development will take nine to 12 months, including marketing
and alpha beta testing.
OBO Conducts Khartoum Housing
Regional Assistance Visit
OBO’s Real Estate Division visited Embassy Khartoum, Sudan
from November 14 through 18 to provide housing assistance.
Real Estate staff met with local real estate agents as well as
United Kingdom and German Embassy management, and visited
embassy housing and available properties on the market. Real
Estate personnel also trained post staff on OBO housing policies
and database management.

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OBO Wins Breach of Contract Lawsuit
The Department prevailed on a $32 million breach of contract
lawsuit filed against OBO by Inversa, S.A., a firm that leases real
property in Panama. Inversa had claimed that the Department
reneged on a letter of intent (LOA) to lease 250 residential units
from the company in Panama City.
OBO Requests Congressional Support
of Baku New Embassy Compound Site
Acquisition
On November 27, OBO submitted to the Department’s Bureau
of Legislative Affairs a formal request for Congressional support
of a site acquisition for the New Embassy Compound in Baku,
Azerbaijan. The 9.67-acreTrolley Park site will be leased from
the Government of Azerbaijan for $10 for a total of 198 years.
OBO will acquire parcels of land adjacent to the site for an
additional $8.5 million to enhance security, flexibility, access,
aesthetics, and the value of the NEC development.
Tokyo Chancery Land Dispute Settled
On November 30, EmbassyTokyo signed a new ground rental
adjustment agreement with the Government of Japan for the
three-acre chancery site. This achievement marks the end of a
10-year dispute with the Japanese Government regarding the
USG’s rights to the chancery land under an 1896 Deed of
Perpetual Lease. The agreement, negotiated by OBO Real
Estate, establishes a fixed schedule of ground rent for the 30-year
period from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 2027. The rent
payable for this three-acre site in downtownTokyo averages only
$100,000 per annum over 30 years, at today’s exchange rate.
Further, the agreement reaffirms the USG’s unique property
rights conveyed by the 1896 Deed of Perpetual Lease.
Brazil Real Property Issue Resolved
For many years, the Government of Brazil has blocked the USG
from selling surplus real estate in Brazil due to a dispute with the
host government about payment of local social security taxes.
Similarly, the USG has prevented the Brazilian Government from
buying properties or opening new consulates in the U.S. In
October 2006, both governments exchanged diplomatic notes
agreeing to the rights to buy and sell properties in the other’s
country. The Brazilian legislature has now ratified the agreement,
paving the way for the USG to sell excess properties in Brazil
without paying the social security tax.
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On January 17, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
signed Decree No. 6355, resolving the long-standing “INSS” issue
that had prevented the USG from engaging in real property
transactions in Brazil without paying social security taxes. The
Decree permits the transfer of ownership of diplomatic, consular,
and residential real property belonging to the U.S., and will
enable the marketing of 17 USG properties slated for disposal.
Tax-Relief Agreements Negotiated
OFM with OBO’s support and post’s assistance, successfully
reached agreement with the government of Liberia for tax-relief
exemption on the Monrovia NEC.
OBO Conducts Capital Security Cost
Sharing Kick-off Meeting
In January, OBO held its annual Capital Security Cost Sharing
kick-off meeting for USG agencies with an overseas presence.
OBO Conducts Quarterly Outreach
OBO held quarterly outreach meetings with the following
Bureaus:
▪ January 22 – Bureau of Administration’s Office of Logistics
Management to discuss contracting issues relating to
OBO’s capital and non-capital programs
▪ January 23 – Bureau of Consular Affairs to discuss current
relevant planning issues that impact their mission
requirements
▪ January 25 – Regional Executive Directors to brief them
on changes in the Capital Security Construction Program
Schedule
OBO Conducts Outreach Briefing at DEA
In OBO’s ongoing outreach efforts, on January 30, at DEA
Headquarters, PRE and OPS/AM, and the Rightsizing Staff from
M/PRI conducted an Outreach Briefing for 17 DEA employees.
The briefing reviewed rightsizing, the Capital Security
Construction Program, the Long-Range-Overseas Buildings Plan
(LROBP), the Capital Security Cost Sharing Program (CSCS),
the NEC planning process, and the OBO building permit
program. Discussions followed on a series of topics related to
rightsizing, CSCS, and planning of expansion capability in the
NECs. All agreed that the meeting was successful.

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OBO Conducts Outreach with Briefings
at CSA and SP
In OBO’s ongoing efforts to better serve and understand the
needs of those agencies/functions located in our overseas
facilities, OBO’s senior Management Team met with
Communications Support Agency and Regional Affairs office
staff on January 31 and February 1, respectively. These
agencies/functions provided an overview of their operation and
requirements for their overseas missions. The meetings
discussed a series of topics related to the Standard Embassy
Design (SED), detailed clarity on space and technical
requirements, rightsizing, planning and process transparency,
and communication. All agreed that the meetings were very
informative and future regular quarterly meetings will be held.
London Ambassador visited third site
that will be pursued further
The London Ambassador met with senior Government of UK
leaders and sent a letter of interest for the Chelsea barracks site
which is the Department’s preferred site.
OBO Submits Business Case on Clayallee
OBO has completed a comprehensive business case on the
retention of the Berlin Clay compound requested by the Senate
Appropriations Committee staff. Retaining Clay in order to
accommodate staff that will not fit in the new chancery was
recommended as the best long-term option when all financial,
operational, and security factors were compared. The study also
recommended that the purchase of Clay is more advantageous
than leasing over 10 years and even more beneficial over longer
periods (e.g., 30 years or 50 years). The conclusion was a
recommendation to proceed with signing a lease extension for
Clay, and then explore a variety of options which would allow the
USG to purchase the property. OBO has briefed OMB.
Completion of the Project Definition
Rating Index (PDRI) Guayaquil NAB
OBO’s Office of Planning and Real Estate (PRE), in collaboration
with Project Execution’s Construction and Commissioning
Division (CC) and Design and Engineering Division (DE)
completed the Guayaquil NAB PDRI with an excellent rating.
The PDRI is a measure of the thoroughness of planning, and was
developed and is utilized by the construction industry. A good
PDRI rating means that the project is well planned, complete and
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without missing pieces. Thus, it should result in the successful
construction phase providing the client with a quality building
delivered in a timely manner.
OBO Conducts Hyderabad Site Visit
During the week of February 25, a New Consulate Compound
(NCC) site evaluation team consisting of OBO and Bureau of
Diplomatic Security personnel visited Hyderabad, India. The
team inspected and approved the Gachibowli site for acquisition.
The team also met with the Andhra Pradesh state government
(APG), the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation
(APIIC), utility providers, the Andhra Pradesh Aviation Authority,
and local attorneys and architects. The Gachibowli site is 11.3
acres and is offered for lease to the USG by the APG and the
APIIC. A 99-year lease term is available but OBO is negotiating
for additional renewals. The next steps include presenting the
APG and APIIC with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
and performing due diligence. Hyderabad is in the Capital
Security Construction Program as an FY 2013 project.
Torre Miramar Inversa Trial Concludes
On February 28, the trial of Inversa, S.A. v. the Department of State
concluded inWashington, D.C. Judge Borwick of the U.S.
Civilian Board of Contract Appeals presided over six days of
testimony in Panama and inWashington, D.C. The Inversa claim
for approximately $9 million stems from a long-standing dispute
over the lease at the Torre Miramar Building in Panama City that
expired in March 2004. The Department’s Office of the Legal
Adviser/Buildings and Acquisitions is generally positive about
the USG’s position. The parties will submit post-trial briefs over
the next 90 days, and Judge Borrick’s ruling is expected by
October 31, 2008.
OBO/PRE meets with Posts in Tel Aviv
and Jerusalem
Representatives from OBO’s PRE office recently returned from a
trip toTel Aviv and Jerusalem in response to posts’ requests for
assistance in addressing office design and functionality issues
impacting mission operations.
Tel Aviv –The team is assisting post in developing a revised
office plan to accommodate the needs of the American Citizens
Service Consular work area. In addition, HVAC and lighting
requirements will be reviewed and resolved if necessary by post’s
facilities manager.

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Jerusalem – In response to a request for a study of office layouts
and functionality, the OBO team is preparing a report for post
that will provide recommendations on ways to redesign functional
areas, relieve overcrowded areas, and, if opportunities exist within
the current construction project, options to correct any problems.
OBO advises UK-U.S. Education
Commission on Relocation
OBO’s Real Estate Acquisitions and Disposals Director met with
the Executive Director of the UK-U.S. Education Commission
(Fulbright) in London last week to advise them on their
relocation efforts. Their intent is to sell their existing building
and relocate to leased space. The Deputy Assistant Secretary of
the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs requested OBO’s
involvement to protect the USG’s equity in the property
purchased with USG funds. The intent is to help them obtain
appropriate professional local assistance in selling their building
in the most optimal way to ensure that sale proceeds provide for
their facility needs in the foreseeable future.
CG Ho Chi Minh City Aggressively
Negotiating Leases
OBO presented an overview of its mission, including the OMBendorsed
Rental Benchmark Initiative, at the EAP Management
Conference in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) March 3 to a
receptive gathering of State Management Officers from 21 posts.
OBO representatives also met with senior diplomats from the
British, Canadian, German, and Australian missions to review the
leasing environment and best practices. Residential lease costs in
HCMC have skyrocketed 12 to 25 percent in the last year, but
through aggressive negotiations, U.S. staff at Consulate General
HCMC are acquiring residences for hundreds of dollars per
month less than their foreign mission counterparts.
OBO Conducts Briefing at the Defense
Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA)
In OBO’s ongoing outreach efforts, onTuesday March 18, at the
DOD/DSCA Overseas Management Meeting, OBO conducted
an Outreach Briefing for approximately 75 DOD employees.The
agenda included a series of topics related to Capital Security
Construction Program (CSCP), the Long-Range Overseas
Buildings Plan (LROBP), the Capital Security Cost Sharing
Program (CSCS), the NEC planning process, Space Requirement
Program (SRP) and timely submission of technical requirements,
and the importance of DSCA working with OBO.
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OBO/REDs Meeting
On March 8, an overview of theTop-80 process was discussed in
preparation for theTop-80 meeting, held on March 27.Topics of
discussion included the role of Area Management, how OBO
converts theTop-80 list to a construction schedule, the overall
planning process, the role of rightsizing and the NEC planning
process, and the Long Range Overseas Maintenance Plan.
OMB Briefed on Long Range Overseas
Buildings and Maintenance Plans
On March 18, OBO briefed the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) on the draft 2008 Long-Range Overseas Buildings
Plan (LROBP) and the proposed Long-Range Overseas
Maintenance Plan (LROMP). OMB praised the quality and
professionalism of the LROBP and welcomed the new LROMP.
The OBO team agreed to work with OMB in the development of
the 2009 LROMP.
PRE Managing Director Appointed
Chairman of the Federal Real Property
Council (FRPC) Inventory Committee
Planning and Real Estate (PRE) Managing Director Jay Hicks has
been appointed Chairman of the FRPC Inventory Committee.
The formal announcement of this appointment was made at the
FRPC Full Council meeting on March 19. The Inventory
Committee is responsible for: (1) reviewing and clearing the
FRPC Data Dictionary; (2) facilitating discussions and sharing
best practices for all performance measures connected with the
FRPP data submission; (3) establishing the FRPP Performance
Assessment Tool and integrating it with all agencies; (4)
reporting inventory data at the constructed asset level during
the first quarter of all fiscal years; (5) establishing Governmentwide
disposal targets; (7) assessing the FRPP database; (8)
expanding agency-specific quality assurance/quality control
processes to ensure reliable and accurate inventory and
performance data is available for decision-making.
OBO Outreach Briefing for Broadcasting
Board of Governors (BBG)
On April 2, representatives from OBO Planning and Real Estate
(PRE) along with the Office of Policy, Rightsizing and Innovation
(M/PRI) presented the NEC planning process and how it affects
BBG. The briefing detailed the various steps in the planning
process, including points at which agencies are invited to

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participate in the process. An overview of capital security costsharing
was presented which explained how the program was
created to encourage rightsizing efforts across the globe. M/PRI
discussed theTop-80 and rightsizing processes, explaining how
careful planning by agencies can help them reduce costs.
Tax-Relief Arrangements
Diplomatic Security and OBO recently completed trips to
Jakarta, Indonesia and Bangkok,Thailand, to confirm and discuss
tax-relief arrangements for the NECs in Surabaya and Jakarta and
the NOX (Phases I-IV) in Bangkok. With post’s assistance, the
team met with host government officials to discuss the process
that allows USG tax-relief for these construction projects.
Estimated savings for these projects total $41.4 million.
Project Execution
Design and Engineering Continuing
Education (DECE)
On October 18, OBO Hosted a DECE Seminar on
Materials Chemistry. There were 61 people in attendance.
Understanding the deep chemistry of the products we use each
day is critical to evaluate the impact a product may have on
human health and the environment in which we live. The
seminar looked at how selecting the correct product can make a
positive difference on the environment and how materials from
the selection process through manufacturing can be a strategic
factor in product design and development. The seminar also
demonstrated how the chemistry of materials can impact the life
cycle assessment of a product.
On October 23, OBO Hosted a DECE Seminar on Light
Emitting Diode (LED) Site Lighting. There were 65 people
in attendance. The seminar discussed LED lighting and its use in
commercial, industrial, and general applications. The seminar
focused onTHE EDGE, a family of products using high
brightness white LEDs. This total systems approach blends style
and performance with ground-breaking technology to maximize
output and longevity. The seminar showed whyTHE EDGE is the
future of lighting. The seminar also provided an overview of LED
lighting including the technology and history of LEDs. A review
of standards for comparing today’s LED products and a discussion
of general lighting applications using LED products were also
part of the seminar.
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Energy and Sustainability
Furthering Energy and Sustainability Goals Worldwide.
OBO participated in a meeting of the National Science and
Technology Council (NSTC) subcommittee on Buildings
Technology Research & Development (BTRD) that oversees a
comprehensive report to the Office of Management and Budget
on the Energy Policy Act 2005 Section 913. While the National
Institute of Science andTechnology and the Department of
Energy are tasked with authoring the report, all agencies are
welcome to submit comments, guidance, and otherwise
participate. The Department’s Special Advisor to the Secretary
on Energy and the BTRD are discussing the possibility of an
agreement to further energy and sustainability goals worldwide.
Wind Turbine Project. EmbassyTbilisi has agreed to be
OBO’s pilot project for wind turbines. This is based on a formal
request by the OBO Design & Engineering Division’s Energy and
Sustainability Design Program (ESDP) for post’s support of a
wind powered turbine installation on the current embassy
compound. Plans call for an OBO team to conduct a site
assessment during the period November 5-9, 2007. If
determined feasible, the proposed turbine would produce power
to supplement post’s existing service and provide for an overall
reduction in energy costs.
Muscat “Green Embassy” Initiative. Embassy Muscat and
OBO continue to plan green initiatives at post. Post has
established committees responsible for identifying and developing
environmentally-friendly projects in the following areas:
improving landscaping and drainage on the embassy’s property;
conserving water and energy; increasing the use of recycled and
bio-based material; and enhancing air quality in indoor work
spaces. The committees will also research possibilities for solar,
wind, or hydrogen technologies to power some Embassy
functions. A number of potential projects have been identified
and incorporated into a comprehensive embassy action plan. The
plan includes estimated costs and benefits for projects with both
short- and long-term planning horizons. Recommendations
include vehicle replacements with more fuel-efficient models and
HVAC system replacements or retrofitting with more energyefficient
models. OBO will compile these survey results into a
database for planning future projects.
Freetown Water Conservation. OBO engineers returned
from Freetown, Sierra Leone, where they inspected post’s critical
need for water and developed several water conservation plans to
assist post in addressing this critical need. The installation of a
supplemental air-cooled chiller will provide substantial relief and
reduce some water consumption especially in the dry season.
Other water conservation strategies include rain water

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harvesting, gray water treatment and recycling and new pipelines
to existing reservoirs. OBO will work with post to implement
water conservation strategies.
OBO’s Green Team presents at April Industry Advisory
Panel. OBO’s GreenTeam, led by the Design and Engineering
Division presented OBO’s sustainability initiatives to the April 8
Industry Advisory Panel.The presentation focused on OBO’s
multi-faceted efforts to improve the efficiency and sustainability
of the Department’s overseas real property inventory.
LEED Certification for FY 2008 Capital Projects.
Director Shinnick recently directed that all FY 2008 capital
projects include Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED) certification as a contract line item. LEED
certification validates that each project is designed to minimize
its impact on the environment and to be energy efficient for
years to come. LEED is a certification granted by the U.S.
Green Building Council (USGBC).
Embassy Panama City, Panama.
Panama City Second U.S. Diplomatic
Compound to Receive LEED certification
The U.S. Department of State has a long-standing commitment
to the sustainability of the future environment through its design
and construction of green embassies around the world.
In an effort to transform the building industry and reduce the
ecological “footprint” humans have on the environment, the
United States Green Building Council (USGBC) developed the
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), Green
Building Rating System. LEED certification demonstrates
building performance that reaches beyond basic energy
conservation by targeting five categories of building impact; site,
water, energy, materials, and indoor environment.
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OBO has taken a holistic and integrated approach to LEED
certification.The New Embassy Compound project in Panama
City incorporates a wide range of technologies and strategies
from OBO’s Energy and Sustainable Design Program. OBO
prepared an extensive report for rigorous review by the USGBC
to earn LEED certification. Twenty-six points were awarded
according to compliance with measures of performance and
standards set by the USGBC.The Panama City NEC is the
second U.S. embassy to be measured under this internationally
recognized green building rating system.
Key features of the Panama NEC project are summarized below
under the five categories of LEED standards.
Site: The “Sustainable Sites” category features an erosion and
sedimentation control plan that complies with the EPA standards.
The area is served by a minimum of two bus lines and the
embassy will be providing shuttle service for employees. Bicycle
racks and showering facilities for five percent of the building’s
FTE occupants are provided to encourage biking and running.
With no local zoning requirement for open space, the Panama
NEC project maintains open space on the compound greater than
the footprint of the chancery building. Finally, to reduce the
urban heat island effect of extensive hard surface areas, almost 80
percent of the building roof is Energy Star®-rated.
Water: Potable water consumption for irrigation will be
reduced by 50 percent, and a reduction of potable water use will
be reduced by almost 32 percent through the installation of
waterless urinals, low-flow faucets, and low-flow shower heads.
Energy: Energy efficiency measures incorporated into the
building design include improved roof insulation, low lighting
power densities, occupant sensor lighting control, improved
chiller efficiency, and variable speed pump controls. Together,
these strategies result in energy efficiency 38 percent greater
than ASHRAE 90-1.1999 requirements.
Materials: Over 32 percent of the Embassy’s building materials
were manufactured within 500 miles of the project site to reduce
embodied energy costs associated with shipping. Facilities are
available to collect the waste generated by building occupants,
reducing the amount to be hauled to and disposed of in landfills.
Dedicated facilities are available and easily accessible for the
separation and collection of recyclable materials such as paper,
glass, plastics, and metals.
Indoor Environment: The building’s indoor environment is
protected through high air quality standards that prohibit
smoking within the building, and isolated air flow systems that
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rooms from adversely affecting air quality. Occupancy sensors
monitor C02, to provide fresh air as required. Low- and no-VOC
carpets and paints limit off-gassing, and indoor chemical and
pollutant sources are controlled, both contributing to enhanced
indoor air quality. Thermal comfort is achieved through
ASHRAE-compliant HVAC standards and a monitoring system
that allows control of humidity to further enhance comfort and
maintain system efficiency.
Innovation & Design: In addition to the above standard
LEED categories, the Panama NEC was awarded four innovation
points for enhanced acoustical and IAQ design, for the
integration of security and sustainable design, and for providing
an educational program to articulate the building’s sustainable
design strategies, technologies, and benefits to its occupants.
Physical Security Upgrades
Embassy Vienna’s Perimeter Security Upgrade Prevents
Terrorist Attack. On October 1,Austrian police with the
assistance of post security personnel thwarted a terrorist attack
at EmbassyVienna.They arrested a 42-year-old native male
Bosnian who attempted to enter the compound with a backpack
filled with explosives, nails, and Islamic literature.When he
arrived at the recently completed Compound Access Control
(CAC) structure for screening, his backpack showed positive for
contraband, including Improvised Explosive Devices (IED).The
unidentified individual was escorted off compound for
questioning.At the sidewalk, he fled, leaving behind his backpack
in which was discovered, among other items, two grenades and
nails. He was apprehended by the Austrian police nearby.
This incident validates the uncompromising need for proper
setback that satisfies security standards and sufficiently sets the
mission facilities apart from the public thoroughfare.
While Perimeter Security Upgrade (PSU) projects are relatively
small in terms of cost, they can save lives, as proven in previous
attacks on Macedonia, Skopje, Belgrade, Karachi, Jeddah,
Casablanca, and most recentlyVienna. In the case of Embassy
Vienna ($1.6 million Euro PSU project), OBO, post, and local
authorities collaborated for a span of almost 10 years to
implement the upgrades to create greater setback with a CAC
with screening capability (previously, visitors were screened in
the main building lobby).Also, the Regional Security Officer had
recently disseminated a new access policy at post that required all
visitors to specifically access the compound via the CAC.
Belmopan, Damascus, Leipzig: OBO is funding projects in
Belmopan, Belize; Damascus, Syria; and Leipzig, Germany.
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Tegucigalpa: A post-managed Physical Security Upgrade
project was completed at EmbassyTegucigalpa, Honduras.
Chisinau: A post-managed project was completed at Embassy
Chisinau, Moldova.
The Hague: On November 14, the Physical Security Upgrade
Project was substantially completed onThe Hague, Netherlands.
Successful GAO Exit Conference on OBO Compound
Security Upgrade Program. On November 16, the
Government Accountability Office (GAO) conducted an exit
conference with OBO and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security
on their review of OBO’s Compound Security Upgrade Program
(CSUP). This year-long review was initiated by the GAO in
November 2006 for the purpose of determining: (1) the manner
by which OBO prioritizes security projects, (2) whether
completed CSUP projects were timely and within budget, and
(3) whether the USG received value for work performed to
enhance security. During the exit conference, the GAO
recognized OBO for having succeeded in all three areas, and
indicated that the final report would have no recommendations.
The GAO readily acknowledged that many of the Department’s
existing properties have limited setback, small lots, and urban
locations that preclude meeting all security requirements via the
CSUP. Accordingly, the GAO plans to emphasize to Congress
that CSUP does not and cannot serve as an alternative to the
New Embassy Compound program.
Moscow NOX/PSU Survey. OBO, along with the Bureau of
Diplomatic Security, CSE, and post assistance, conducted a New
Office Annex (NOX) survey and Physical Security Upgrade
(PSU) survey at the U.S. Embassy compound in Moscow on
March 10-14. The team and post concurred on the sequence of
events for project execution of the NOX project. Post will be
invited to participate in the NOX integrated planning review
workshop, and will subsequently be briefed on the revised site
plan and test-fit drawings.
Soft Targets
OBO Announces Ongoing Funding of the Soft Target
Program for Overseas Schools. On November 8, OBO
announced via ALDAC cable the continuation of the
Department’s SoftTarget Initiative Program for overseas schools.
The cable addresses the history of the program, which offers
funding for physical security upgrades at overseas schools
enrolling dependents of USG employees and or other American
citizens. It updates and simplifies program guidance, and
recognizes the outstanding efforts of post personnel in helping to

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make the program a worldwide success. The cable encourages
regional security officers to take advantage of anticipated FY
2008 funding and submit project requests early in the fiscal year.
Soft Target-Program Starts Sixth Year. From inception, the
Soft-Target initiative has focused upon improving the physical
security of overseas schools enrolling dependents of USG
employees and other U.S. citizens. During the first five years,
OBO funded 709 grants with a total value of $70 million for an
average grant value of nearly $99,000. Funds were used to
provide such upgrades as shatter resistant window film, PA
systems, emergency radio communication capability, perimeter
walls and fences, security lighting, CCTV systems, window
grilles, reinforced doors and windows, drop arms, bollards,
metal detectors, and other types of upgrades designed to make
the schools safer from possible terrorist attacks. Under OBO
management, individual upgrades are identified by RSOs,
technically reviewed by DS and funded by OBO. Project funding
is provided via grants issued by A/OS and A/LM. Cooperation
among schools, posts, OBO, DS,A/LM, and A/OS continues to
be extraordinary and feedback from appreciative school and post
officials continues to be effusive.
OBO Soft-Target Program Elicits Praise. OBO recently
received a letter from the Superintendent of the American-
British Academy in Muscat, Oman, expressing appreciation for
OBO Soft-Target funding in the amount of $63,000 for an antiram
vehicle gate and two pedestrian gates to protect the school’s
highly vulnerable primary entrance.
In-Service Training Seminar
During the week of October 1, OBO’s Office of Project
Execution, Construction and Commissioning (CC) Division,
hosted a Project Directors’ In-ServiceTraining Seminar. Thirty
Project Directors participated from overseas, plus 60 attendees
from CC and its sister divisions within OBO. The seminar’s
primary focus was on improving the commissioning and project
close-out processes for OBO’s capital projects. Also included
were presentations on commissioning, Diplomatic Security
accreditation, FEBR installations, and facility-related issues
surrounding the Operations hand-off to posts.
As a lean initiative to improve efficiencies in time and travel
costs, CC coordinated a Defense Acquisition University training
course for the week of October 9 for overseas participants who
attended the above seminar. The course is focusing on
construction contracting and fulfills the required continuing
education needed for CC’s staff to maintain Contracting Officer’s
Representative eligibility.
Address to AF Chiefs of Mission
Conference
On October 16 at the HST Building, the OBO Director
addressed 42 ambassadors and ambassador-designates attending
the Bureau of African Affairs Chiefs of Mission Conference on a
variety of OBO issues and programs. The Director spent
considerable time on OBO communication channels, OBO’s
process for starting and closing out construction projects, and a
thorough explanation of the “new direction” for chillers.
OBO Participates in U.S.Access Board
Round Table on Barrier-Free Accessibility
On October 25, OBO took part in a U.S.Access Board-hosted
round table discussion at GSA headquarters to discuss the
growing number of barrier-free accessibility issues affected by
increasing physical security requirements at federal building
perimeters. The event was attended by the National Capital
Planning Commission,Architect of the Capitol, Smithsonian
Institution, DC Department ofTransportation, OBO, and others.
A Project Architect and a Physical Security Engineer from
OBO’s Design and Engineering Division (DE) gave short
presentations on accessibility and security issues related to their
work, which were then compared with the issues of other
agencies. The Board is considering preparing guidelines that
address this issue and will draw upon the comments generated at
this meeting. DE anticipates continued involvement.
OBO Presents at the Construction
Industry Institute Seminar
On November 1, representatives of OBO’s Planning and Real
Estate (PRE) and Project Execution (PE) offices participated
in a “Best Practices” seminar atVirginia Polytechnic Institute’s
Engineering School sponsored by the Construction Industry
Institute (CII), of which OBO is a member. OBO participated in
this course as a means for CII members to help the engineering
school move on from the tragic shootings that occurred on
campus last April, in which the school lost an engineering
professor and eight engineering students. PE’s Managing
Director and other OBO staff presented an overview of the
Bureau’s planning and construction program and the best
practices of CII and OBO to a class of 43 graduate students.
Areas covered included pre-project planning, cost control, value
management, risk allocation, zero accidents techniques, disputes
prevention and resolution, lessons learned, and design standards.
Feedback from the students and professors was positive, and
OBO took the opportunity to distribute recruitment materials.

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OBO Participates in Hill Briefings on GAO Engagement with Consular
Follow-on Projects for the Baghdad NEC Expansion in Mexico
On November 5, OBO participated with staffers of the House The Government Accountability Office (GAO) held an entrance
and Senate Committee on Appropriations of Subcommittee on conference with Consular Affairs on December 4, 2007, and
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs on the follow- intends to meet with OBO to discuss ongoing and planned
on projects for the Baghdad NEC. Subcommittee staff requested building and consular expansion projects in Mexico.
a comprehensive briefing on the proposed projects.
Value Engineering Team Conducts studies
2007 Equal Employment Opportunity
Prize Awarded to OBO Site Security
Manager
TheValue Engineering (VE) program conducted two studies.
Thirty-seven recommendations were presented with a potential
maximum savings of $13 million. The secondVE study was the
Laureen Stephens-Rice, the OBO Site Security Manager on the
Consulate construction project in Johannesburg, South Africa,
Taipei,Taiwan NOX/School.
has been awarded the 2007 Equal Employment Opportunity
Award with $10,000 cash prize for her demonstrated
commitment to equal opportunity and diversity. Ms. Stephens-
Frankfurt MSGQ Renovation
Rice was recognized largely for successfully curtailing sexual On February 27, renovation of the MSGQ at the American
harassment of female guards; helping establish an Embassy Consulate General in Frankfurt, Germany reached substantial
Pretoria program to address diversity, sexual harassment, and completion. The Marines can now relocate from their existing
discrimination; and inaugurating an annualWomen in Security quarters at Leisler 4, Siedlung Housing to their new quarters on
Enforcement Day to recognize female local guards, and pay
tribute to the men who support gender equity in the work force.
the Consulate General Compound.
The firstVE study was for the Dubai, United Arab Emirates NEC.
OBO Assists Belgrade Post After Civil
OBO Briefed by DS on SMSe Unrest in March
OBO’s Security Management Division (SM) coordinated the visit The Forced Entry/Ballistic Resistant (FEBR) door and window
of 10 OBO Project Executives from its Construction and program has contacted post to offer assistance in replacing the
Commissioning Division (CC) to the DS Command Center on damaged glazings and other FEBR products.
December 3 for a very informative session on the nature of the
System Management System Enterprise (SMSe). OBO installs Currently, progress continues with security upgrades in
embassy and consulate security systems that are monitored by the response to the damage inflicted in the March demonstrations.
DS Command Center in real-time video. The OBO group left Using part of the $254,000 in security upgrade funding, post has
the briefing with a greater knowledge of the larger picture of the completed the installation of steel plate on the windows of the
DS SMSe network as it affects OBO projects. “A” block of the facility. Funding for all security repairs is being
tracked, and the USG will request to be reimbursed by the
Government of Serbia.
OBO Engineer Elected to National Civil
Engineering Society Board of Direction
OBO/ALM Issues Meeting, March 10
OBOValue Engineering Program Manager Reza Darvishian, P.E.,
F.ASCE, was recently elected director of RegionTwo of the Topics of discussion included one percent fee for contract actions
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).As region director, and how it will be utilized, 2008 contract awards and increasing
Darvishian will serve on the society’s Board of Direction OBO competition on major projects, ready-to-build sites, prerepresenting
members from Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, bid conferences, business opportunities, innovative procurement
northernVirginia andWashington, D.C. Founded in 1852, the methods, and the capital project hands-off process.
American Society of Civil Engineers represents more than
140,000 civil engineers worldwide and is America’s oldest
national engineering society.

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OBO/DS Team Briefs DOD Construction
Personnel
At the request of and in concert with DS, a PE/SM analyst
provided a detailed construction security briefing to senior
members of the Department of Defense Missile Defense Agency
on March 13, 2008.The briefing was requested by the DOD in
preparation for upcoming overseas missile site construction
projects.The presentation was well received and the DOD
representatives expressed a desire to continue working with
OBO and DS for support and guidance as their projects move
forward in the planning process.
Contract for Baghdad TOC Awarded
Following completion of the planning for the BaghdadTactical
Operations Command project, the Bureau of Administration’s
Office of Logistics Management awarded a contract to Facilities
Development Corporation. The $1.9 million design-bid-build
contract was effective March 19, 2008.
Port-au-Prince New Embassy Compound
Completion and Occupancy
The Port-au-Prince NEC project achieved substantial completion
on March 31, 2008 and was issued the Certificate of Occupancy
on April 9, 2008. Post was scheduled to commence their move
to the new facility on April 11, 2008; however, due to the current
civil unrest in Haiti, the move has been postponed.The NEC
dedication ceremony is tentatively scheduled for mid June. The
new facility will provide a safer, secure and functional work
environment for 105 U.S. direct-hires, more than 400 Haitian
employees, and some 33 U.S. contractors and personnel serving
more than 27 agencies and offices.The NEC will unite under one
roof Department elements and 12 agencies, currently dispersed
in eight annexes throughout the city.
Taipei,Taiwan Rear Access Road (RAR)
and New Office Compound (NOC) Phase
One Projects
Representatives from OBO and DS met with local officials in
Taipei to coordinate the design and acquisition of permits for the
RAR and the NOC. The RAR will be constructed under a
regular City of Taipei building permit. Phase one of the NOC
project will be constructed with a special permit under the
direction of the ExecutiveYuan (liaison office of the highest
order) of the national government.
Clarifying Responsibilities for Repair
and Maintenance of Security and
Associated Equipment
Uncertainty about the respective responsibilities of OBO and
DS for this maintenance and repair at overseas posts is a
perennial problem. Either bureau could be in charge of the same
type of equipment depending in its location, security purpose,
warranty status, whether it meets current security standards,
and many other factors.To bring more clarity to this
complicated subject, on April 9 the OBO Security Management
Director convened what turned out to be a highly productive
meeting of key OBO and DS representatives. The next step will
be to form a working group with a wider membership, including
a PMO representative, to tackle this issue in depth.
Baghdad TOC Building Permit issued
OBO’s DE Division issued the building permit for the Baghdad
Tactical Operations Center project.The project comprises the
reconfiguration of space to accommodate theTOC within the
NOB. The requirement for theTOC was developed after the
original contract for the NOB was planned and awarded.

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Operations
OBO’s Safety, Health, and Environmental
Division (SHEM) Training
OBO Trains General Services Officers. On September 24,
SHEM provided MotorVehicle Safety Management training to
20 officers enrolled in the General Services Operations course
at the Foreign Service Institute (FSI). SHEM participated in the
Motor Pool Operations portion of the course with a presentation
on the Department’s significant experience with motor vehicle
mishap reports, the lessons learned, and the standards for safe
management of motor vehicles. The course also covered the
crucial implementation steps that fleet managers need to take to
reduce the loss of life and property from motor vehicle
operations. SHEM requested that FSI include this module
because of the Department’s increasing motor vehicle fatality
rate.
Training for Diplomatic Courier Orientation. On
October 11, SHEM presented training in the Diplomatic Courier
Orientation to promote occupational safety and health in
Department courier operations. SHEM briefed new couriers,
whose activities include exposure to noise, lifting heavy pouches,
working on busy airport tarmacs, and operating motor vehicles.
The course addressed proper material handling and storage, and
correct lifting techniques, personal protective equipment, safe
motor vehicle operations, tarmac safety, personal protective
equipment, and hearing conservation.
OBO Trains General Services Operations Students. On
December 3, SHEM provided training to officers enrolled in the
General Services Operations course through the Schultz Center
of the Foreign Service Institute. Participants included 23 officers
training in GSO responsibilities for overseas posts. SHEM
contributed to the Motor Pool Operations portion of the course
by presenting the Department’s standards and management
programs for safe operation of motor vehicles and described the
Department’s significant overseas motor vehicle mishap
experience and lessons learned. Topics also included critical
implementation steps post fleet managers need to take to reduce
the loss of life and property from motor vehicle operations.
OBO Hosts WHA Safe Driving Instructor Course.
SHEM, along with Embassy Mexico City, hosted a safe driving
instructor course in Mexico City. Motor pool supervisors from
the Embassy and from four Mexico Consulates were trained by
an international professional driver training company in advanced
driver safety methods, consisting of behind-the-wheel
instruction, situational awareness, and attentiveness to changing
road dynamics. The newly certified trainers will train others at
their respective posts.The goal is to modify behavior and reduce
the frequency and severity of mishap accidents. This is part of
SHEM’s overall effort to improve the safety of motor vehicle
operations at posts.
OBO Provides Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Training. From December 4-6, SHEM sponsored a three-day
advanced seminar on Integrated Pest Management in Istanbul,
Turkey. Enrollment was at full capacity with a total of 15
participants including Foreign Service Nationals, General
Services Officers and Facilities Managers from EUR and NEA
posts. Instruction included classroom lecture, facilities
inspections, and hands-on application exercises. The highly
experienced and dynamic presenters conveyed the logic and ease
of controlling pests by avoiding the conditions that invite pests
with many excellent real world examples gained through years of
experience including some at overseas posts. In a world of risky
dependence on hazardous pesticides that led to the deaths of two
family members at overseas posts prior to inception of the
Department’s IPM program, adherence to this program is key to
protecting property and people from pests and the risks of
hazardous pesticides.
OBO Hosts Safe Driving Instructor Courses in AF and
NEA. SHEM, along with the Embassies inYaoundé and Muscat,
recently hosted safe driving instructor courses in both cities.
Motor pool supervisors from each Embassy and seven other
nearby AF and NEA missions were trained by an international
professional driver training company in advanced driver safety
methods, consisting of behind-the-wheel instruction, situational
awareness, and attentiveness to changing road dynamics. The
newly-certified trainers will train others at their respective posts.
The goal is to modify driver behavior and reduce the frequency
and severity of motor vehicle accidents.
OBO Participates in General Services Officers Training.
On February 22, SHEM presented a one-day module to General
Services Officers (GSO) attending the Foreign Service Institute’s
(FSI) GSO training. The module acquainted new officers with
the Department’s overseas safety, health, and environmental
management programs and provided information on safety risks.
These SHEM presentations are given five times a year.The SHEM
training portion is consistently rated by students as one of the top
presentations in the GSO Operations Module
OBO Participates in Diplomatic Courier Operations
Training. On February 22, OBO participated in the Diplomatic
Courier Orientation training to promote occupational safety and
health in Department courier operations. SHEM briefed new
couriers on activities including exposure to noise, lifting heavy

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pouches, working on busy airport tarmacs, and operating motor
vehicles. The course addressed hearing protection, proper
material handling and storage, safe lifting techniques, personal
protective equipment, motor vehicle operations, and tarmac
safety. This effort is coordinated with the Domestic
Environmental Safety Division because of domestic-based courier
operations, as well as Medical Services for audiometric testing
for all new couriers. The incoming Director of Diplomatic
Couriers audited the training and provided positive feedback.
OBO Sponsors Advanced Integrated Pest Management
Training in Dhaka. On February 26-28, SHEM presented
training on integrated pest management to individuals with
responsibilities for safe and effective pest control at their posts.
There were 18 participants representing 11 posts in attendance.
The curriculum included lecture and hands-on inspections of
facilities and practice implementation of control measures.
Emphasis was on pests common to most posts and participants
were encouraged to share challenges and success stories they
have experienced.The staff of the American Embassy Dhaka did
an excellent job hosting and the environment was rich with
educational opportunities.
OBO Hosts Safe Driving Instructor Courses in AF.
SHEM, along with the Embassy inWindhoek, recently hosted a
safe driving instructor course. Motor pool supervisors from five
Embassies in nearby AF missions with left-hand drive vehicles
were trained by an international professional driver training
company in advanced driver safety methods, consisting of
behind-the-wheel instruction, situational awareness, and
attentiveness to changing road dynamics.The newly-certified
trainers will train motor pool and incidental self-drivers at their
respective posts.The goal is to modify driver behavior and
reduce the frequency and severity of motor vehicle accidents.To
date, 159 motor pool supervisors have become certified
instructors and have, in turn, trained over 4000 official vehicle
drivers worldwide.
OBO Provides POSHO Assistant Training. SHEM
presented a five-day Post Occupational Safety and Health Officer
(POSHO) AssistantTraining course in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
from March 31 – April 4. In attendance were 18 Foreign Service
Nationals from EAP and SCA regions with safety responsibilities.
The course provided practical knowledge and skills needed to
support post safety programs including hazard assessments,
recordkeeping, and training.Although the training program is not
yet two years old, there are now over 130 trained and
experienced POSHO Assistants.This cadre adds value to posts by
providing critical program continuity through POSHO
transitions; conducting on-going safety training to staff and
family members; performing follow-up inspections and ensuring
that identified safety problems are corrected.This effort is part of
a SHEM initiative to empower Foreign Service Nationals to
become more responsible in implementing day-to-day safety and
health requirements at post.
OBO Hosts Safe Driving Instructor Courses in WHA.
SHEM along with the Embassy in Brasilia, recently hosted two
safe driving instructor courses. Motor pool supervisors from six
Embassies and Consulates in nearbyWHA missions, as well as
USINT Havana, were trained by an international professional
driver training company in advanced driver safety methods,
consisting of behind-the-wheel instruction, situational awareness,
and attentiveness to changing road dynamics.The nine newlycertified
trainers will train motor pool and incidental self-drivers
at their respective posts.The goal is to modify driver behavior
and reduce the frequency and severity of motor vehicle accidents.
To date, 178 motor pool supervisors have become certified
instructors and have, in turn, trained over 4,000 official vehicle
drivers worldwide.
OBO Conducts Outreach Safety Training at the NASA/
Goddard Space Flight Center. SHEM had a representative
speak on April 10 at the NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center’s
forth Annual Safety Awareness Campaign.The week-long NASA
conference is designed to elevate awareness of safety principles
and reinforces the role that all employees have in preventing
potential mishaps or accidents.There are approximately 50
different activities or seminars throughout the week from
Traveler Safety, Lab Safety to a Forklift Rodeo.The SHEM
presentation covered safety while traveling overseas, with a
special emphasis on road traffic safety. Over 200 NASA
employees were in attendance for the SHEM presentation and it
was well received.
Fund-raising for Ambassador’s Residence
at Embassy Paris
On September 27, as part of the fund-raising effort for the
Secretary’s Culturally Significant Properties Fund, the Portland,
Oregon, Friends of American Embassies hosted a dinner, at which
a representative of OBO’s Heritage Maintenance Program was
the guest speaker. Donors who had contributed to the
publication of the new book on the Ambassador’s residence at
Embassy Paris were recognized. To enhance greater cultural
awareness and understanding of diplomatic life,Ambassador
Stapleton requested that such a book be published. The Portland
Friends of American Embassies raised over $10,000 in support of
the publication. The dinner raised an additional $2,275 for
OBO’s Heritage Maintenance Program. OBO provided a copy of
the book to all in attendance. The Portland Friends of American

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Embassies will host its next fund-raiser next year for its OBO Director Addresses WHA Chiefs of
continuing support of the State Department’s Culturally Mission Conference
Significant Properties.
© Elizabeth Gill Lui
Ambassadors Residence, Paris, France.
POSHO of the Year Award
The Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Division
announced the selection of the Post Occupational Safety and
Health Officer (POSHO) of theYear and three runners-up.The
award includes cash and a certificate signed by OBO’s Director.
The selection criteria included accomplishments that resulted in
significant contributions to the safety, health, and environmental
management program at post. This year’s winner is Steve Fulcher
inTokyo. Runners-up include James Brown (Dhaka), Etienne
Pare (Nairobi), and Robert McKay (Ankara). All POSHOs play
an important role in protecting employees and family members
from safety and health hazards at posts.
Test of Elevator Access Control System
On November 1, OBO’s Facilities Division’s Elevator
Management Program (EMP) tested the first installation of a
Diplomatic Security (DS)-approved elevator access control
system. Last spring, the Engineering Security Office and
Facilities Management in Seoul, South Korea requested support
from OBO to design and install an elevator system to interface
with a DS-approved access control system into the four embassy
elevators. This system utilizes the Department of State badge and
permits the RSO to control passenger access to critical floors.
Upon final implementation and feedback from post, the EMP
will develop a standard elevator requirement for integrating
access controls with elevator systems.
On December 7, at the HST Building’s Marshall Center, the
Director addressed ambassadors and ambassadors-designate
attending the Bureau ofWestern Hemisphere Affairs Chiefs of
Mission Conference on a variety of OBO issues and programs.
The Director emphasized the new facilities in the region and the
considerable number of facility maintenance projects completed
in the past year.
Addis Ababa Fire Investigation
Completed
On January 2, OBO completed the investigation of a December
21, 2007 warehouse fire in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The
investigators determined the cause to be electrical in nature: an
arcing light ballast in one of the storage bays. Although there
were no injuries, the fire resulted in a loss of over $2 million in
government property, most of it belonging to the Center for
Disease Control and Prevention.
FAC Facilitates Repairs at Embassy Dar
Es Salaam by Local Staff from Embassy
Pretoria
FAC’s Maintenance Support (MS) Branch facilitated theTDY
support of an LES electrical technician to repair a failed medium
voltage regulator in Dar es Salaam.The MS Branch received a
quote from General Electric of $25,000, however, knew that the
local electrician had the skills to troubleshoot and repair the
regulators for a fraction of the cost. It then assisted with
obtaining Pretoria’s permission to utilize a local electrician as a
cost savings measure. FAC funded travel to Dar es Salaam for
$2500, resulting in a cost avoidance of $22,500. The use of the
LES from Pretoria resulted in significant cost-savings to the
Department and was an excellent example of OBO partnering
with posts for effective resource utilization.
SHEM Team Featured Speaker at FSI
The Director of the Safety, Health and Environmental
Management Division was requested to be the featured speaker
at the Office of SecurityTechnology (DS/ST) Activity
Management Review meeting on February 8 at FSI. ST has been
partnering with SHEM for the last year to make technical
security operations safer at posts. This includes evaluating work
operations, conducting training and development of standard

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operating procedures. ST’s initiatives will ultimately protect
employees from workplace safety and health hazards by using
measures that reduce the risk of injuries and illnesses.
OBO and AF Address Pretoria Security
Issues
OBO Area Management and OBO Real Estate teamed up with
DS and AF to participate in a digital video conference (DVC)
with Embassy Pretoria on post’s security concerns. Issues
discussed included the feasibility of providing generators at all
residences due to protracted electrical blackouts; relocation of
staff to gated communities; and security enhancements to
existing residences. Ambassador Bost advised that the mission is
developing strategies to address these issues and will forward
them to the Department.
Energy Management
On February 12, Department of Energy (DOE) Federal Energy
Management Program representatives met with the Chief
Financial Officer (CFO) and OBO staff to discuss enhancing the
use of third-party financing of energy conservation opportunities
worldwide using DOE’s Super Energy Savings Performance
Contracts. Due to escalating utility costs for 15,000 Department
properties, the CFO requested that OBO develop an Energy
Management Program in coordination with and concurrence
from each Regional Bureau. OBO’s Facilities Division is
developing an Energy Management “strawman” outlining the
strategy to finance and implement energy reduction and cost
savings opportunities worldwide. Once the plan is completed,
OBO will work with DOE to move forward on this highly
innovative effort, utilizing third party financing to be paid from
resulting energy savings.
OBO Implements Safety, Health and
Environmental Tracking System
SHEM recently implemented the final phase of its Management
Assessment andTracking System (SMARTS).This online tool
standardizes hazard identification and recommendations for site
visits and tracks the status of corrective measures. SMARTS
provides automatic e-mail reminders to post and allows direct
updates to the system by Post Occupational Safety and Health
Officers (POSHOs).This eliminates the need for emails with
attachments or cables in order to update a post’s progress.
SMARTS can display how a post, bureau or other group has
improved over time at reducing risk and allows an individual post
to quickly determine their current status based upon the most
recent SHEM visit.The system is designed to promote a dialogue
between post and SHEM with the ultimate goal of making
residential and work environments safer.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms Save 10 Post
Residents in Prague and Bogota
Through March and April, four carbon monoxide (CO) alarm
activations have alerted seven adults, two children, and one infant
to the potentially fatal buildup of CO in their residences.The
causes for the alarms were a faulty exhaust flue, malfunctioning
instantaneous gas water heaters and accumulation of car exhaust
in an improperly vented apartment complex garage.To prevent
recurrence Prague repaired the flue and Bogota replaced two
water heaters with electric units.The garage exhaust was not
corrected to post’s satisfaction so Bogota relocated the affected
family and dropped the apartment from its housing pool. SHEM
manages the residential CO Alarm Program for overseas posts.
These events bring the total lives potentially saved from CO to
78 since the CO alarm program was initiated in July 2000.
Two covers from the record-breaking month of ART Publications. Featured
here are Vilnius, Lithuania and Bujumbura, Burundi.

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Art in Embassies
Art In Embassies Establishes a Record for
Publications
OBO’s Art in Embassies has completed a record number of
publications for worldwide exhibits in various languages, as
follows:
▪ Trilingual publications for Bujumbura, Burundi
(English/French/Kirundi)
▪ Bilingual publications for Dushanbe,Tajikistan (English/
Tajik), Minsk, Belarus (English/Belarusian);Vilnius,
Lithuania (English/Lithuanian); Lomé,Togo (English/
French); and Zagreb, Croatia (English/Croatian)
▪ English language publications for Belize City, Belize;
Helsinki, Finland; Kampala, Uganda; Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia; Rome, Italy; Port-au-Prince, Haiti; Montevideo,
Uruguay; Nairobi, Kenya;Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Prague,
Czech Republic; and Cotonou, Benin
This brings the total of publications to 17 produced in a single
month, a record for OBO.
Front cover of the Jakarta Art in Embassies Publication.This publication
features the collaboration between National Geographic Magazine,
Embassy Jakarta, and the host government.
AAA in Uruguay. Jessica Snow (left) and Anya Spielman in front of art
created during a workshop with Uruguayan schoolchildren.
ART’s American Artists Abroad Program
During the week of September 24, two California artists,Anya
Spielman and Jessica Snow, traveled to Uruguay through ART’s
American Artists Abroad program (AAA). The artists
coordinated workshops with Uruguayan children at the Estados
Unidos Escuela Publica in Montevideo. The American and
Uruguayan children produced a total of approximately 100
paintings. In the words of Ambassador Frank Baxter, “[A]
thousand thank-you’s for making this possible. It allowed us to
reach out to the Uruguayan community beyond government and
diplomatic personnel.”
AAA in Uruguay. Uruguayan schoolchildren participate in a workshop
led by AAA participants, Jessica Snow and Anya Spielman.

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Reception at Blair House (left to right)
Virginia Shore, Senior Curator,Art in Embassies Program,Department of
State;Norman Akers (Osage),artist;First Lady Laura Bush;Kathleen Ash-
Milby,Curator,National Museum of the American Indian;Larry McNeil
(Tlingit),artist;and Nancy Brinker,Chief of Protocol,Department of State.
ART Reception at Blair House
On November 14, the Department’s Office of Protocol hosted a
reception at Blair House in honor of the collaboration between
OBO’s Art in Embassies and the National Museum of the
American Indian (NMAI). First Lady Laura Bush, several
Ambassadors to the U.S. fromWestern Hemisphere countries,
artists, and Department of State personnel attended the
dedication. The NMAI donated 100 original works of art on
paper, created by five Native American artists. The artwork will
be distributed to overseas missions. Examples and brochures of
the works were on display in OBO’s lobby and at Main State.
ART’s AAA in Jordan
Mr. Bruun, an artist from Maryland, held eight “Second Chances”
workshops the week of January 18 in Jordan for youth aged 12 to
17 at the Queen Zein Al Sharaf Institute for Development and an
additional “Training ofTrainers” session for adult volunteers. A
reception for youth participants, trainers, parents and family
members was held at the conclusion of the workshop series. In
addition, Mr. Bruun gave a lecture and slide presentation at the
Darat al Funun gallery for Jordanian artists, gallery owners,
students, and community activists. Ambassador David Hale,
hosted an embassy reception at the residence attended by local
patrons of the arts, gallery owners, directors of arts institutions
and journalists. According to Cultural Affairs Officer Cynthia
Harvey, “It was a terrific program …your workshop touched so
many lives – thank you for sharing your talents with artists and
youth here in Jordan. It was clear to me the other night at the
reception that they will never forget the experience.”
0
Art in Embassies New Brochure Featured
at Jakarta Reception
On March 14, the event “Celebrate Indonesia’s Natural and
Cultural Diversity” was held at Embassy Jakarta, a combined
effort between National Geographic, post, and the host
government.The event was covered by local media, including
ANTV and local print media. It offered an opportunity for a
diverse group of stakeholders from the public and private sectors
to meet and discuss future environmental projects. Copies of the
new Art in Embassies brochure, which included photographs
from National Geographic featuring images of Indonesia on display
in the residence, were given to guests at the event.
David Doubilet, 1998; Coral reefs, Manado Tua volcano near the
northeastern tip of Sulawesa; Photograph, 16 x 24 in. Courtesy of
the artist and National Geographic Magazine .
John Stanmeyer; Mount Ia looms behind two boys playing in
the surf off the port city of Edne on the island of Flores,
Indonesia (Ia erupted in 1995); Photograph, 16 x 24 in. Courtesy
of the artist and National Geographic Magazine.

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ResouRCe management
Resource Management
Deputy Assistant Secretary Sid Kaplan at the exhibit opening at SA-18.
OBO Hosts Department’s Exhibit on
Evolution of Planning
On October 11, the Bureau of Resource Management’s Deputy
Assistant Secretary for Strategic and Performance Planning Sid
Kaplan and the OBO Director dedicated an exhibit on the
Evolution of Planning in the Department: Past, Present, and
Future. The exhibit was produced by RM/SPP and included
state-of-the-art visual displays; books; brochures; and a video all
detailing the history and cycle of strategic and performance
planning in the Department. After a formal kickoff held in the
Ralph Bunche Library at Main State earlier this year, this exhibit
has been circulating throughout the Bureaus. OBO hosted the
exhibit at both its SA-6 and SA-18 locations.
The Evolution of Planning Exhibit in SA-6 lobby.
1
OBO Receives OMB Passback
OBO recently received the Office of Management and Budget’s
(OMB) passback reflecting its decisions on OBO’s FY 2009
budget request. Overall, the passback provides $1.599 billion to
OBO’s Embassy Security, Construction and Maintenance
appropriation, a straight line from the FY 2008 request and
$710.6 million below the Department’s FY 2009 request. The
passback reduces funding for New Embassy Compound
construction projects by $124 million, eliminates funding for a
new facility inTaipei, and reduces funding for operations &
maintenance and other OBO activities by $259.8 million below
the request. OBO has submitted a thorough but reasonable
appeal seeking restoration of $261.7 million of the $710.6
million reduction.
OBO Hosts Financial Management
Workshop
On January 15 and 16, OBO hosted a workshop for financial
management officers and Foreign Service Nationals from posts
with New Embassy Compound (NEC) projects awarded in 2006
and 2007. Thirty-eight financial management staff from 20 posts,
as well as several regional bureau budget officers, attended the
workshop. Presentation topics included the proper accounting of
OBO project funds, project administration documentation, the
DiplomaticTax Relief Initiative and the handling of value-added
tax refunds, ICASS for OBO’s on-site project staff, and lessons
learned from previous NEC projects.
OBO Co-Hosts Project Management
Professional Certification Briefing
On January 23, OBO’s Office of Resource Management cohosted
with its strategic planning partner, the Bureau of Resource
Management’s Office of Strategic Planning and Performance, and
the Department’sYoung Professional Organization (YPRO), an
informational briefing at Main State on Project Management
Professional Certification (PMP). PMP is a well-established
methodology for managing and overseeing large, complex, and/
or complicated organizational processes. The session attracted 62
Department personnel, with significant representation by the
Bureaus of Administration, Diplomatic Security, and Information
Resource Management.

FM Team Briefs FSOs and FSNs
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ResouRCe management
Twelve FSOs and senior FSNs attending the FSI Basics of Financial
Management course met with their Area Managers and then
received a 90 minute briefing on OBO financial management
procedures on February 1. An OBO team representing Resource
Management,Area Management, and Facilities Management
fielded questions and provided answers on the overall OBO
budget, changes instituted in FY 2008, and the mechanics of the
facilities manager, maintenance and leasehold accounts.
GAO Review of NEC Construction
The GAO is currently conducting a three-part follow-up review
on new embassy construction: contractor base, rightsizing, and
operations and maintenance costs. The entrance conference
took place in December and GAO’s survey work began in
January. OBO requested a reprieve from GAO until the new
OBO Director had some time to look over the organization.
OBO, A/LM, and L/BA met with GAO for the first time on
February 21 to begin the review of the contractor base portion.
GAO had provided a number of questions in advance and they
served as the basis for the meeting. A/LM and L/BA carried the
day and provided GAO with background information, statistical
data, contract and RFP language, and proposed changes to
legislation. Although GAO seemed pleased with the meeting,
there will be additional follow-up meetings, particularly with
regard to proposed changes to legislation.
OBO Commences FY 2010 Budget Cycle
Process
OBO kicked off the FY 2010 budget cycle with a series of
hearings as part of a comprehensive review of both program
priorities and resource requirements. Director Shinnick is
meeting with each office to discuss their funding requirements
and finalize the FY 2010 request levels. OBO will complete its
FY 2010 budget and submit it to RM/BP.
OBO Deputy Managing Directors brief
OIG and GAO
On April 15, OBO’s Deputy Managing Directors (Planning, Real
Estate, Project Execution, Operations, and Resource
Management) briefed the OIG InspectionTeam currently
conducting the management inspection of OBO on the NEC
planning and execution process.The GAOTeam reviewing the
NEC contractor base also attended.The briefing was well
attended and served to further educate these two important
stakeholders as to the processes and challenges of NEC
construction.This is the second of a series of briefings to
stakeholders and interested parties by the OBO Deputies.
Additional briefings are being planned for the Regional Executive
Directors,A/LM, other agencies, and OBO groups.

Industry Corner
outReaCh
Associated General Contractors
On February 29, Director Shinnick, other senior OBO officials,
and staff from the Bureau of Administration’s Office of Logistics
Management met with representatives of the Associated General
Contractors International Committee to discuss outreach and
participation in OBO’s bids and projects. A follow-on meeting is
scheduled for June.
Joint OBO/DS Security Briefings
Continue
In October, OBO and DS conducted six briefing sessions to 11
contractors for the purpose of comprehensively increasing
security awareness and knowledge protocols on OBO
construction projects.
OBO Presents at Corporate Real Estate
Symposium
On October 30, OBO Real Estate personnel made a 45-minute
presentation at the CoreNet Global Summit in Atlanta, Georgia
titled “Siting New EmbassiesWorldwide: Strategies for Making
Multiple, Simultaneous, International Location Decisions.” The
presentation was before an audience of nearly 100 corporate
real estate executives and service providers. Follow-up
discussions addressed numerous questions about OBO’s
programs and real estate portfolio. CoreNet is the largest
international organization of corporate real estate professionals
with nearly 7,000 members worldwide.
The Society of American Military
Engineers (SAME) Seminar
On November 1, the OBO Director was the luncheon speaker at
the fourth Annual Readiness and Homeland Security Seminar
sponsored by the Society of American Military Engineers’
NorthernVirginia Post. The Director gave an overview of OBO
programs and emphasized major security features incorporated
in New Embassy Compounds that are providing safer living and
working conditions for USG staff. Following the address, post’s
FirstVice-President, Regan McDonald, presented the Director
with a commemorative world map symbolizing OBO’s
commitment to worldwide diplomatic security.
Construction Users Roundtable
OBO staff attended the Construction Users Roundtable’s 2007
National Conference in Naples, Florida from November 5 to 7.
The theme of the conference was “From Collaboration to
Transformation: Solutions forToday’s Construction Industry.”
The OBO Director spoke on “Leading Change in Construction:
The U.S. State Department Strategy,” to an audience of over 500.
He also spoke on the management improvements he set in place,
the obstacles facing the Bureau, and its success in building over
50 new facilities enabling thousands of diplomatic staff to work
and live in safer facilities.
OBO Co-Hosts Workshop on Design-
Build Contract Awards
On January 17, OBO and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security
jointly conducted a Security Certification and Accreditation
Workshop for the pool of contractors who are recipients of FY
2007 design-build contract awards. The purpose of the event was
to assist contractors in understanding the details of the security
engineering and design of OBO’s physical and technical security
systems. Approximately 40 contractors participated in the event,
which also addressed Congressional certification, accreditation
inspections, and the Forced Entry/Ballistic Resistant (FEBR)
door and window program.
OBO Represented at American Planning
Association
Jay Hicks, OBO Managing Director for Planning and Real Estate,
spoke onThursday, March 27 at the annual meeting of the
Virginia chapter of the American Planning Association in Reston.
Over 50 planners attended and resumes have been coming in
from individuals expressing an interest in working at OBO.
OBO Division Director is keynote speaker
at SAME Luncheon
OBO’s Design and Engineering Division Director was the
keynote speaker at a recent Society of American Military
Engineers (SAME) luncheon.The speech focused on current
design and construction contract opportunities and the
challenges that lay ahead for the Department in providing
diplomatic platforms into the future.

Industry Corner
outReaCh
OBO Hosts Sixth Annual Industry Day
On November 8, OBO, in partnership with the American Small
Business Coalition, hosted its sixth annual Industry Day with an
audience of 200 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott. The Director
opened the event with a presentation that examined his approach
to leadership, his vision and strategy for transforming OBO, the
obstacles faced in the transformation, the leadership challenges
currently facing the bureau, and the results that OBO has
achieved. Paramount among these results is the completion of
over 50 new and safer diplomatic facilities, which has placed
thousands of people out of harm’s way.
Following the opening session, the Director presided over a
roundtable discussion with company presidents and senior
executives. OBO senior staff from Project Execution, Planning
and Real Estate, and Operations chaired similar roundtables
relative to their respective program areas. A small business
roundtable was also conducted by staff from the Bureau of
Administration’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business
Utilization. At the end of the sessions, a luncheon was provided
and gave the attendees additional opportunities for networking
among themselves and with Department staff.
General Networking.
Attendees take notes during an OBO roundtable session.
The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (A/SDBU)
conducts a session, along with a panel of current OBO small business
contractors, regarding OBO and its contracting opportunities.
An attending business representative presents to a Panel of OBO staff
during a technology review session.

Industry Corner
IndustRy advIsoRy panel
Fourth IAP for 2007
On December 13, OBO hosted the fourth 2007 Industry
Advisory Panel (IAP) meeting with more than 40 guests and
staff attending. Topics of discussion included revisiting
previously discussed topics to gather further insight and keep
abreast of new developments in indoor air quality management,
maintaining a skilled workforce, how value engineering is
working for OBO, progress in effectively implementing building
information modeling (BIM), and critical issues in project
closeout. The Director presented an updated overview of
OBO’s construction program and provided clarification on
several recent issues. He also recognized the contribution of
departing IAP member Suman Sorg, who represented the
American Institute of Architects. The agenda, presentations, and
minutes are posted on OBO’s web site, www.state.gov/obo.
First IAP for 2008
On April 8, OBO hosted the first 2008 Industry Advisory Panel
(IAP) meeting in the HST conference room 1107. Over 50
guests and staff attended the meeting.The morning session,
which followed some opening remarks by Director Shinnick,
consisted of an open forum on ways to increase OBO’s
contractor base and included a representative from A/LM’s
contracting division.The afternoon session was devoted to green
issues and included: (1) Setting green goals, (2) Specific energy
conservation measures to be implemented in new and existing
facilities, (3)Web-based tracking and certification tools to
document high-performance buildings, and (4) Eco-diplomacy,
which was presented by a representative from EUR. Director
Shinnick also presented certificates of appreciation to departing
Panel members Nancy Goshow, Marvin Oey, Darryl Horne and
William Flemming (in absentia). In addition, he welcomed new
Panel member Barbara Nadel, who represents the American
Institute of Architects. The agenda, presentation, and meeting
minutes are posted on OBO’s web site www.state.gov/obo.
The December 2007 Panel Members.
Upcoming 2008 IAP Meetings
The remaining 2008 Industry Advisory Panel meetings are
scheduled for June 26, September 18, and December 18.
Registration is required for all meetings and opens about one
month prior to the event date. For more information please visit
our web site or email IAPR@state.gov.
IAP group photo April 2008.
Nick Retherford (OBO/PRE) and Tim Farrell (A/LM) participate in
the morning contracting session.

Industry Corner
IndustRy advIsoRy panel
Meet the Panel
April 2008 Members
clarearcher is a Senior Manager in Gilbane Building Company’s Mid-Atlantic Region,based in Laurel,MD and represents the assocIateD
GeNeral coNtractors oF amerIca (aGc) on the Panel. After earning a B.S.degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1990,
Ms. Archer went to work for an architecture/engineering/construction management firm in Arlington,VA. She began working with Gilbane
Building Company in 1997. As a Senior Manager, Ms. Archer focuses on business and client development for the public sector—local, state
and federal agencies. Clare is an active member of AGC’s Government Affairs Committee, and is currently the President of AGC of Metropolitan
Washington, DC. As a member of the Government Affairs Committee, Clare was a leader on the GSA Construction Manager as Constructor task
force, on which she worked closely with GSA representatives to develop a standard template and language for use of this delivery system within
GSA. She is also actively involved in the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) and the District of Columbia Building
Industry Association (DCBIA). IaP term: sePtember 2007 – sePtember 2008
wIllIam FlemmING is Senior Vice President of Pre-Construction Services at Skanska USA Building Inc., one of three Skanska business units
in the U.S.,and a leading national and local provider of construction,pre-construction consulting,general contracting and design-build services
to a broad range of U.S. industries.As the company’s senior pre-construction executive, he leads efforts on projects of all sizes and complexities.
Flemming is on the board of directors of the DesIGN-buIlD INstItute oF amerIca (DbIa), and represents that organization on the Panel.
He is also a member of the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineers (ISPE). He has been a featured speaker at Tradeline Inc., the
Society of Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) and ISPE,and is a published author. Mr.Flemming also is a member of the Skanska USA Civil
business unit’s board of directors. He has an M.B.A.from Golden Gate University,a B.S.in Construction Management and a B.S.in Architectural
Engineering Technology from the University of Cincinnati. IaP term: July 2007 – July 2008
NaNcy aber Goshow, aIa, is the founding partner of Goshow Architects, the largest 8(a)WBE full service architectural firm in NYC
focusing on sustainable buildings for the public sector. Ms. Goshow holds a Master’s Degree fromThe Pratt Institute and a Bachelor’s Degree from
Pennsylvania State University. She represents womeN coNstructIoN owNers & executIves (wcoe) as Northeast regional director.
She is a national founding partner ofWomen Impacting Public Policy and a member of theWomen Presidents’ Organization. She is a recipient of
the“Woman of theYear Award”from the National Association of Women in Construction,and her firm was profiled on PBS’s“New American Heroes.”
Prior to forming Goshow, she worked at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, and Beyer Blinder Belle. IaPterm: July 2007 – July 2008
Darryl K. horNe is President and CEO of Horne International, Inc., a program engineering and technology firm with a strong focus on
securing government facilities at home and abroad from chemical,biological,nuclear,and physical threats. Mr.Horne represents the NatIoNal
DeFeNse INDustrIal assocIatIoN (NDIa) on the Panel. As founder of Horne Engineering Services, Inc., he created a company that has
produced more than $200 million in revenue. He is a licensed professional engineer and has more than 20 years of technical and management
experience. He was appointed to the Virginia Military Institute’s Board of Visitors, serving as a member of the Executive Committee, as Board
Vice-President,and as chair of three committees.Mr.Horne is also a Trustee on the Federal City Council. He is the recipient of numerous awards,
including an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and was a finalist for a National Capital Business Ethics Award. Recently, he was
recognized as a Top Entrepreneur by U.S. Black Engineer & Information Technology magazine. IaP term: July 2007 – July 2008

Industry Corner
IndustRy advIsoRy panel
GreGory s. KNooP, aIa, leeD-aP, has over 17 years of diverse experience and expertise in project planning, design and administration.He
is responsible for the firm’s efforts in continuing the tradition of expertise in designing for diplomacy. His experience in embassy planning
and design has included U.S. Embassy in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and U.S. Embassy NOX compound in Abuja, Nigeria. He was the architect for
embassy renovations for Paris,France,Ankara,Turkey,Hermosilla,Mexico,and several projects in South America. Mr.Knoop is a member of save
INterNatIoNal, and represents this organization on the panel. He has been involved in many OBO Value Engineering studies, has published
articles on value engineering,and was a lecturer at the SAVE International 2007 conference. Mr.Knoop received a Bachelor of Architecture degree
with honors from Carnegie Mellon University in 1990. He holds licenses in Maryland, the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania,West Virginia,
Virginia, and is NCARB certified. IaP term: sePtember 2007 – sePtember 2008
reGaN P. mcDoNalD, Pe, is a Senior Principal for Corporate Facilities Administration with BAE Systems Information Technology. He
is representing the socIety oF amerIcaN mIlItary eNGINeers (same) and serves as the Vice President of the Northern Virginia Post of
SAME. A career officer in the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers (USACE),Mr.McDonald served in a variety of positions including Deputy Commander
of the Detroit District USACE,Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering at West Point,Advisor to the Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources, and Chief
of Staff of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s New Campus Program Office (BRAC). He holds a B.S. in Civil & Environmental
Engineering from Clarkson University, an M.S. in Civil Engineering from Cornell University, and an M.B.A. from Virginia Tech.
IaP term: sePtember 2007 – sePtember 2008
marvIN oey, Ph.D, Pe, is the Director of the Construction Institute (CI) at the amerIcaN socIety oF cIvIl eNGINeers (asce),
and represents the organization on the Panel. Prior to this position, Dr. Oey served as an analyst with Independent Project Analysis (IPA)
working with some of the largest oil companies, chemical producers, pharmaceutical companies, forest product companies, and consumer products
manufacturers in the world to help enhance capital productivity using IPA’s project evaluation system and project system benchmarking. Dr.Oey
started his career with the Construction Industry Institute (CII) at the University of Texas at Austin where he received his Ph.D. He was involved
in quantifying the cost, schedule, and safety benefits of CII best practices. IaP term: July 2007 – July 2008
barbara a. NaDel, FaIa, is Principal of Barbara Nadel Architect (BNA), specializing in justice, health, and institutional facilities, and
represents the amerIcaN INstItute oF archItects (aIa). Since founding BNA in 1992,she has provided security reviews,programming,
master planning,design,value engineering,and expert witness services to U.S.and international clients.Ms.Nadel is Editor-In-Chief of Building
Security: Handbook for Architectural Planning and Design, for which she received AIA’s Institute Honors for Collaborative Achievement
and the Milka Bliznakov Prize Commendation. She has served as both AIA’s National Vice President and New York Regional Director. Ms.Nadel
is Editor-In-Chief of Soloso and was 2002 Chair of the Academy on Architecture for Justice. She has received various honors, including the
AIA’s New York State President’s Award and Del Gaudio Award. Her work as a journalist has appeared in over 100 magazines, web sites, and
books.She received B.Arch.and BFA degrees from the Rhode Island School of Design and a B.A.in Pre-Architecture from State University of New
York at Binghamton. IaP term: aPrIl 2008 – aPrIl 2009
JohN o.wooDs, Jr., Pe, is Principal and co-founder of Woods•Peacock Engineering Consultants, a SDVOB. Prior to Woods•Peacock, he
spent 29 years with FDE Consulting Engineers,24 as co-owner. In his 37-year structural engineering career he has designed,or been responsible
for the design of more than 500 significant structures,and has consulted on thousands more worldwide. Since 1983,he has visited more than 40
countries consulting on buildings for the U.S. Department of State. On the Panel, he represents the amerIcaN couNcIl oF eNGINeerING
comPaNIes (acec). Mr.Woods has served as president of ACEC/Metropolitan Washington, and on numerous committees and task forces of
ACEC and the Coalition of American Structural Engineers.He is also a large complex case panel member of the American Arbitration Association,
and was appointed to the U.S.Access Board in 2005.He has served on the Viet Nam Veterans Memorial Fund since the initial design competition.
He received a B.S.C.E. from The Citadel, and a M.S. from Duke University. IaP term: sePtember 2007 – sePtember 2008

Special projectS
China Program Annual Offsite
OBO’s Special Projects Division (OBO/PE/SPCD) held their
seventh annual Offsite at theWarrentonTraining Center on
October 11-12, 2007. The Offsite included a number of
technical topics and discussions to include a status update on the
construction execution and site operations of the Beijing NEC
project, security overviews related to technical, physical,
procedural/industrial and transit/logistics, telecommunications,
accreditation, commissioning of the NEC, demobilization,
maintenance program, post move-in, and decommissioning of
the existing post facilities.
A status of the progress on the Guangzhou NCC project was also
presented, which included topics related to overall execution,
security overview, contracting, design, and future construction
and staff mobilization. In addition, a status of the initial planning
for the Beijing Annex/Reconfiguration and the Shanghai NCC
projects was presented.
Guests in attendance included the OBO Director, DS Deputy
Assistant Secretary (A/S) Pat Donovan, IRM D/CIO Charlie
Wisecarver, and CSE Director Jim Flynn. Also in attendance
were the Admin Officers from Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and
OBO’s Project Director from Beijing.
Under Secretary Kennedy Briefed on
China OBO Projects
On February 7 representatives from OBO, M/PRI, CA, DS, RM,
and EAP briefed Under Secretary Kennedy on changed
requirements for OBO projects in Beijing, Guangzhou and
Shanghai. Addressing questions raised by U/S Kennedy, CA
confirmed that the growth reported to M/PRI included
projections on the visa applicant data through 2016.
OBO Conducts Guangzhou Site Visit and
Outreach
During the week of February 25-29, representatives of OBO,
the Bureaus of Diplomatic Security and Consular Affairs, and
American contractors traveled to Guangzhou, China. The team
held a pre-bid conference, site visit, and port survey with three
American companies interested in bidding on the Guangzhou
New Consulate Compound (NCC) Controlled Access Area
construction project. The team briefed the Consul General and
Post Management on the status of the NCC project, the updated
China 2016 program, and reviewed the proposed NCC 2016
design solution with all Consulate sections. The team also met
with the Foreign Affairs Office and local planning officials to
advance the NCC permit process. The OBO/post-led team
took the contractors to the Port of ChiWan in Shenzhen, where
they met representatives of the U.S. flag carrier American
President Lines, who provided a briefing of their services and a
tour of the port.
Briefing Congress on China OBO Projects
OBO worked with the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs,
the Bureau of Consular Affairs, and the Office of Management
Policy, Rightsizing, and Innovation to prepare a briefing to the
Office of Management and Budget and the Congress on the
anticipated growth of posts in China and its effect on rightsizing.
Given the growth pattern of other agencies and sections in China,
the Department now recommends using the projected 2016
staffing numbers when planning for facilities in China. This in
turn has had an effect on the size and costs of the compounds
being designed and planned. On February 25, representatives
from OBO, the Office of Management Policy, Rightsizing, and
Innovation, and the Bureaus of Consular Affairs and East Asian
and Pacific Affairs briefed staff of the House Appropriations
Committee on updated facility requirements for NEC projects in
Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai. On May 12, the team briefed
the Senate.
Service Level Agreement signed between
DOS and DOD
On March 28, representatives from OBO and DOD signed an
addendum to the original Service Level Agreement (SLA) that
was developed and signed earlier in January 2005.The original
SLA was to expire December 31, 2008; however, based on the
additional work associated with new China projects, the SLA was
extended until December 31, 2012.This agreement will enable
logistic and transit operations to continue between our
departments to enhance the overall execution of the China
program.
Beijing NEC Tenants Meeting
On March 27, OBO held its eighth meeting with the agencies
moving into the new embassy in Beijing to keep them abreast of
developments and to focus on the move in September 2008. This
meeting of 24 different USG agencies and eight Department
Bureaus has taken place on a semi-annual basis since April 2003.
The Management Counselor, the Move Coordinator and the
Project Director at post attended all sessions.

Special projectS
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Beijing Embassy will
take place on August 8 and will be led by President Bush. Upon
conclusion of the Olympics and Special Olympics, post can begin
preparation for the move.
Beijing New Embassy Compound Annex
One of the challenges of planning, or “right sizing,” seven or eight
years before a new embassy is built is that much can happen in
the intervening years that impacts sizing and design decisions.
This is especially true if the country is undergoing dynamic
change. To say that China has undergone such change in the past
eight to ten years is an understatement. Newsweek noted in a
January 7, 2008 article (citing formerTreasury Secretary
Lawrence Summers) that “In two decades, China has experienced
the same degree of industrialization, urbanization, and social
transformation as Europe did in two centuries.The scale and
pace of growth in China has been staggering, utterly
unprecedented in history…and it has produced equally
staggering change.” China has one-sixth of the world’s
population; three decades of eight percent annual per capita
income growth; and the second largest number of internet users.
Its economy is the second largest in the world, after the United
States, and it is the world’s largest holder of foreign reserves.
China has obviously become a dominant player in the
international trade arena and is a valued trading partner of the
United States. Moreover, China is of importance to the United
States as an erstwhile ally in the fight against terrorism.
However, it is also a country whose industrial and military
espionage efforts directed against the United States are
frequently featured in the written and electronic media.
The purpose of “right sizing” is to arrive at a workspace and
staffing model that meets the operational needs of a diplomatic
mission for a specified period of time into the future, usually five
to ten years. Congress requires this “scrubbing” of size and
content to ensure that the Department builds just what is needed
for the near term and no more.
Because of China’s increased global importance, the size analysis
and the decisions made in the 1990s are, of course, no longer
valid today. Expanded diplomatic interests and other agency
considerations have exceeded the New Embassy Compound’s
(NEC) capacity. As an example, since 2004, 13 new agency
elements from within the Departments of Homeland Security,
Health and Human Services, Energy, Justice,Treasury, and the
Agency for International Development have added, or plan to
add, offices in China. This growth is in response to new
challenges such as counterterrorism and border security (DHS),
emerging health threats such as avian influenza (CDC, OGHA,
USAID), import safety (FDA), and intellectual property crime
(USPTO).
We are now planning for a 6,518 square meter annex building
on the NEC in Beijing, as well as some additional modifications
to the consular operations building, which will be adjacent to
the annex.
The NEC, as originally envisioned, will be formally opened in
August of this year. The NEC annex, currently in the design
stage, is tentatively scheduled for completion in the Spring of
2012, and will be sized to accommodate 90 American employees
and 144 locally employed staff (LES), plus another 84 desks will
be added to other site buildings. It will permit the following
additional agencies to be housed on the NEC:
▪ Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
▪ Department of Energy National Nuclear Security
Administration (NNSA)
▪ Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
▪ National Science Foundation (NSF)
▪ Overseas Prosecutorial DevelopmentTraining & Assistance
(OPDAT)
▪ Patent andTrade Office (USPTO)
▪ U.S.Agency for International Development (USAID)
▪ U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
As part of the annex project, there will be some reconfiguration
of the consular building (reconfiguration scheduled for
completion in October 2008) and relocation of site utilities.
This addition will provide the needed space to accommodate all
programmed members of the diplomatic mission, as well as
representation by additional agencies with need for an in-country
presence to meet American economic, health, agriculture,
energy, and domestic-security programs and agendas.
A model of the Beijing New Embassy Compound Annex

Press Coverage
USInfo features Art in Embassies
In November 2007, the Department of State’s USInfo featured an
article regarding ART’s collaboration with the Smithsonian
Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI).
The NMAI donated original works by five Native American
artists that will be displayed at overseas missions. The article
highlights ART’s successful program and focuses on the five
Native American artists, their perspectives, and their works.
Embassy Berlin Scheduled to Open on
Independence Day
In January 2008, the AP, Earth Times, and Reurters reported on
the scheduled two-day opening celebration for the new embassy
in Berlin, Germany, on July 4, 2008. The articles mentioned the
significance of its location, as it sits on the same site as the pre-
WorldWar II mission, on the Pariser Platz. Among other
highlights were the art installations of a 40-foot-tall steel
sculpture by Ellsworth Kelly, and an American eagle made by
Germany’s famous Meissen porcelain manufacturer. In April, the
press reported that President Bush will attend the festivities to
open the new embassy.
OBO Industry Day 2007 in State
Magazine
An article regarding OBO’s sixth annual Industry Day event was
included in the February 2008 edition of State Magazine. The
article mentions the coordination with the American Small
Business Coalition and the various activities of the day including
the general session, senior management roundtables, and a small
and disadvantaged business roundtable.
Coverage of Embassy Kigali Dedication
The New Embassy Compound in Kigali, Rwanda, was dedicated
onTuesday February 19, 2008. Distinguished attendees included
President Bush, Secretary Rice, and Rwandan President Paul
Kagame. The press coverage was picked up by the AP andWhite
House News, and from there it was disseminated throughout
many globally distributed news sources including the Wall Street
Journal, L.A.Times,The Arizona Republic, and Herald Tribune.
0
President Bush shakes hands with Rwandan President Paul Kagame at the
Kigali NEC dedication ceremony.
Embassy Baghdad Receives its Certificate
of Occupancy
In April, the AP published several articles announcing that
Embassy Baghdad received its certificate of occupancy, indicating
that the 27 new, heavily fortified facilities are ready for post
move-in. The certificate signifies that substantial completion of
construction has been attained, and that the buildings and
communications systems have been successfully tested. This new,
104-acre site will replace the current embassy quarters in a
Saddam Hussein-era palace.
Fed Times Reflection, Change at OBO
In April, the Federal Times featured OBO and its program,
drawing on discussions from the April 8, 2008 Industry Advisory
Panel (IAP) meeting. Noting that OBO is currently one-third of
the way though its effort to replace 160 U.S. embassies with
safer, more secure facilities, the article focuses on OBO’s
reflection over the past few years, and its plans for moving
forward. It mentions recent organizational changes and
initiatives aimed at improving the program and increasing the
number of contractors bidding on construction projects. Some
topics mentioned include: extending the completion date for
projects from 24 months to 28 months; spreading out requests
for proposals throughout the year; and building facilities with
simpler, less technical internal systems so that they are easier to
operate and maintain.

EmployEE cornEr
David E. Foy Memorial Award for
Excellence in Facilities Management
At the OBO Awards Ceremony on October 16, OBO presented
the 2007 David E. Foy Memorial Award for Excellence in
Facilities Management to Kenneth Schroeder from U.S. Embassy
Cairo. Mr. Schroeder received the award for his outstanding
accomplishments and performance in implementing and
sustaining an effective facilities management program.
The prestigious award, named in honor of the late David E. Foy,
whose life was tragically ended by a car bomb in Karachi,
Pakistan in 2006, recognizes superior professional performance
and outstanding leadership in the challenging field of facilities
management. Mr. Schroeder was given $5,000 cash and a crystal
trophy accompanied by a certificate of achievement.
OBO Staff Performance Awards
Following the October 2007 awards ceremony, OBO presented a
total of 311 performance awards to its employees in recognition
of recent individual and collective contributions to OBO’s many
successes. OBO senior staff took the opportunity to emphasize
the importance of recognizing outstanding efforts in sustaining
high performance.
Deputy Secretary Negroponte visits with the Special Projects Division
Deputy Secretary Negroponte Visits OBO
In October, Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte visited
OBO. He began his visit by meeting with and addressing OBO
Senior Management. He then continued onto a meeting with the
Special Projects Division, followed by a presentation from OBO’s
Design and Engineering Branch. A large crowed gathered in the
SA-6 lobby to hear Deputy Secretary. Negroponote’s address.
1
Following his remarks, the OBO Director presented the Deputy
Secretary with a certificate of appreciation for his support of the
OBO program.
OBO Director Participates in Senior
Executive Threshold Seminar (SETS)
On October 29, the OBO Director was a featured speaker at the
SETS leadership training program for newly promoted Senior
Foreign Service and Senior Executive Service employees, held at
the National Foreign AffairsTraining Center. The theme of the
Director’s presentation was “Leading Organizations through
Change andTransition.” He spoke about leadership, the vision
and strategy for transforming OBO, the obstacles faced in the
transformation, the leadership challenges currently facing the
bureau, and the results that OBO has achieved. Following his
presentation, the Director responded to questions asked by
several of the 22 course participants.
OBO Hosts Annual Health Fair
On November 6, OBO hosted its first annual Health Fair. Eight
health carrier representatives attended to promote their
respective plans:Aetna,American Foreign Service Protection
Association, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Government Employees
Hospital Association, Kaiser Permanente, Mail Handlers, United
Concordia, andVision Service Plan.
New Civil Service Performance
Management System
On January 31, 2008 OBO/HR and HR/CSP held a training
session on the newly implemented Civil Service Performance
Management System. The training was held onsite, which was
well received by OBO managers and employees. During this
session components of the new Performance Management
System were presented.
OBO Represented at HR/CSD
Performance Measures Meeting
On March 27, OBO performance measures personnel
participated in an informative briefing in HR/CSD. The briefing
focused on how to develop personal performance measures
through critical examination, and alignment of the Department’s
and Bureau’s strategic goals to employees’ critical performance
elements under the new performance rating system.

EmployEE CornEr
haIl & FaRewell
Name
New Hires
Office EOD
Departures
Name Office Date
Portia McNeil OBO/MSD 10/01/07 Curtis Oden OBO/IPCO 10/27/07
William Hedges OBO/OPS/FAC 10/15/07 Charles Hurley OBO/PE/DE 10/27/07
Gerald Fill OBO/RM/P 10/15/07 Angela Sharpe OBO/OPS/AM 10/31/07
Steward Smith OBO/IM 10/29/07 Alexandra Stables OBO/OPS/AM 11/02/07
Jason Adams OBO/PE/SM 10/29/07 Donna Phillips OBO/RM/FM 11/03/07
Stephen Loftus OBO/OPS/FIR 10/29/07 Soleh Lee OBO/PE/CC 11/10/07
Douglas Hemphill OBO/PRE 10/29/07 EugeneTumblin OBO/MSD 11/10/07
Malinda Pugh OBO/PRE/AQD 11/13/07 Jermaine Rogers OBO/IM 11/16/07
Donna Phillips OBO/PE/SM 11/13/07 Richard Heffern OBO/AM/WHA 11/30/07
Anthony Sangley OBO/IM 11/13/07 Alan Evers OBO/PE/CC 11/30/07
Elizabeth Lauster OBO/PRE/RPM 11/13/07 Natasha Robinson OBO/PE/SM 12/07/07
Joseph Cafferata OBO/PE/DE 11/13/07 Maisie Meade OBO/OPS/AM 12/08/07
Kimberly LaJeunesse OBO/OPS/AM 11/26/07 Erin Crudden OBO/PRE/PEA 12/08/07
Carlos Edwards OBO/OPS/FAC 11/26/07 Clifford Mecklenburg OBO/RM/FM 12/08/07
Richard Plunkard OBO/PE/SM 12/10/07 Peter Zebriskie OBO/REPM 12/23/07
Minh Le OBO/PE/DE 12/10/07 Willie Drummond OBO/OPS/FIR 12/31/07
Tammra Gill OBO/PE/SPCD 12/10/07 CharlesWilliams OBO 12/31/07
Tahir Rizvi OBO/PE/CC 12/10/07 William Downer OBO/PRE/REP 12/31/07
Julian Brown OBO/OPS/FAC 12/10/07 Shen-Yi Hu OBO/PE/DE 01/03/08
Tonya Hyder OBO/HR 12/26/07 Ben Sims OBO/PE/DE 01/03/08
Thomas Swepson OBO/PE/SPCD 12/26/07 Jo Anne Debusk OBO/PE/DE 01/04/08
William Downer OBO/PRE/RPM 01/07/08 Alia Platz OBO/IM 01/14/08
James Rowland OBO/PE/DE 01/07/08 Song Keller OBO/IM 01/18/08
Robert Jeter OBO/PE/DE 01/07/08 Susan Glasner OBO/PE/CC 01/18/08
Geneva Davis OBO/HR 01/07/08 Anthony Sangley OBO/IM 01/18/08
Rafel Discipulo OBO/PE/DE 01/22/08 John Lydic OBO/PE/DE 01/19/08
Uriah Cooper OBO/MSD/SY 02/04/08 Ruben Alcantara OBO/OPS/AM 01/20/08
Medgar Rose OBO/OPS/FIR 02/04/08 Robert Baggan OBO/IROR 01/30/08
Patricia Freeman OBO/RM/FM 02/19/08 Hillary Zahm OBO/PRE/PEA 02/02/08
Yolanda Lucas OBO/HR 02/19/08 Demetria Gibson OBO/OPS/SHEM 02/03/08
Brian Bates OBO/PE/CC 02/19/08 Lizette Chacon OBO/HR 02/09/08
Stephen Kruchko OBO/FO 03/03/08 Tamia Allen OBO/PE/SM 02/15/08
John Holland OBO/PE/SM 03/03/08 Stephanie Robinson OBO/PRE/PEA 02/16/08
RhondaThompson OBO/PE/SPCD 03/17/08 Linda Dunyan OBO/PE/DE 02/16/08
Amanda Fraizer OBO/PE/DE 03/17/08 Connie Graham OBO/OPS/AM 02/16/08
Douglass Noumbissi OBO/PE/CC 03/17/08 Adelet Kegley OBO/EA 02/29/08
Olena Shockley OBO/PE/CC 03/31/08 Arlette Nowakowski OBO/RM/FM 02/29/08
Angela Mason OBO/HR 03/31/08 James Schofield OBO/IPCO 03/01/08
David Dunham OBO/OPS/FIR 03/31/08 Donna Phillips OBO/PE/SM 03/01/08
Cynthia Keim OBO/RM/FM 03/31/08 Robert Smith OBO/IM 03/07/08
Jennifer Refvik OBO/PE/DE 04/14/08 RobertWoods OBO/PRE/EV 03/07/08
Jose Cao-Garcia OBO/RM/FM 04/28/08 John Fenner OBO/OPS 03/15/08
Angela Sharpe OBO/OPS/AM 04/28/08 Coston Burnes OBO/MSD/SY 03/29/08
StephenTerada OBO/PRE/RPM 04/28/08 Malinda Pugh OBO/PRE/AQD 03/29/08
Kyra Koh OBO/PE/DE 04/28/08 Zerrin Langer OBO/IROR 04/05/08
ShawneeWright OBO/RM/P 04/28/08 Steven Shaffer OBO/FO 04/26/08
AlanTrogdon OBO/PE/SM 04/30/08
Michael Locksley OBO/OPS/FIR 04/30/08

Embassy Managua, Nicaragua

Embassy Panama City, Panama
U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations
Washington, DC 20520
Official Business
© Elizabeth Gill Lui